Prime Originator

After the people successfully retreated behind the upper walls, Hendrick made his way over to Leon.

"Young man, you are very good." Hendrick praised.

The young man in front of him was able to remain calm and focus on important tasks during crucial moments. He had great prospects.

The general marquis didn't plan to stick for long. The other districts also required urgent help. He was prepared to leave immediately after praising the boy. 

However, Isaac couldn't keep silent, seeing that the prince didn't receive the proper salutations.

"With all due respect, even if you are the general marquis, you are still below the royal family and should address his highness as such." Isaac said staunchly.

Others might revere the general marquis, but not him. They had been equals in strength for many years. Now that the general marquis had advanced, he would at most only show proper respects as one would to a stronger person, but not to the point of revering.

Leon raised his hand to stop him from continuing, but it was too late.

His highness?

When the words were uttered, Hendrick Graham paused his steps. There was no prince the last time he visited the Capital, but seeing Leon's attire and aura of majesty, he didn't doubt the validity of the statement.

Which means the prince was found in the last two weeks. For a person growing up as a commoner to already cultivate such a majestic aura, this prince was not simple.

"Apologies for the impudence, your highness." Hendrick offered his proper fist-palm salutation.

 "There's no need for such formality, general. Do what you need to do." Leon shook his head before saying respectfully.

This person was a hero, someone who had safeguard the western border from the beasts for many years and was worthy of his great respects.

The general marquis nodded.

Lives were at stake and the sooner the other district receive help, the more lives to be saved.

He was originally anxious for his son but seeing that the Upper District had not been breached, he let down his worries and allowed himself to focus wholeheartedly on the bigger picture.

After the general marquis left, Isaac started issuing orders to everyone so they could prepare themselves to welcome the next wave of crawlers.

The commoners were moved to the innermost region of the Upper District. Just outside the Royal Palace and far from the Upper Walls. These people would not be able to help if they camp near the walls. Instead, they would affect the chain of commands and hinder the defenses by being in the way.

…

At the same time, troubles were looming in the Upper North District.

A crowd of young nobles and aristocrats from all districts had begun to concentrate outside the Lancaster Empire Estate Building.

Despite being called a building, it was not square. It held the appearance of a pyramid-shaped metal fortress that seemed like the result of fusing many buildings together.

The pack of young nobles and aristocrats were the bottommost people in terms of importance within their families. They were deemed to have the least potential in being able to help their family prosper. Thus, no awakening pills had ever been distributed to them by their family head.

They were basically a bunch of profligates and wastrels.

There was only one reason why they have gathered at this spot instead of retreating towards the safety of the Royal Palace.

They all wish to board the airship carrier docked at the top floor and flee the Capital by air. Unfortunately, they are currently being blocked off by the Duke's people.

There were several hundred people gathered outside and their numbers continued to grow with each passing moment.

However, not everyone would be able to board the airship carrier even if they succeeded breaking into the building. There was only one airship and it can only hold so many people.

The reason there weren't many airships manufactured in the kingdom, was not due to the complexity of the manufacturing itself, but the supply of levitation stones. Levitation stones weren't naturally formed resources, but high-tech relics that were unearthed from the ancient ruins sent over by the Royal family. Unless the royal family had more to send them, there would not be anymore airships.

"Back off! We are not open for business today!" One of the guards barked.

"How can you shun away your customers!? The building has always been opened for business and never had it closed before!" A good-for-nothing young noble roared angrily.

"Yeah! We are all customers! We came to place some special orders!"

The guards did not speak another word, but there was only one word they all want to curse inside their minds,

'Bullshit!'

At normal times, they would naturally be open for business, but even during their peak business hours, there were never so many people coming in to place their orders at once.

They would never believe what these people are saying, especially in a time like this. They obviously came for the airship, but they were making lame excuses to enter.

There was no doubt in their minds that once these people were allowed to enter the building, they would no longer be able to stop them all. There were too many people, even for trained awakeners like themselves.

Inside the building, a bunch of blacksmiths and assistants with hammers and tools in their hands gathered on the ground floor. They were prepared to fend the people off, should they try to force their way in.

"Has the family head been informed?" A senior blacksmith asked.

"A messenger has already been sent to inform the family head." His assistant apprentice answered.

"Good grief. I hope the family head arrives quickly. These good-for-nothings look like they are about to break in." The senior blacksmith said with concern.

When the Duke received the news from the palace grounds, he was angered. He had been busy observing the situation of the upper walls and overlooked his own family's business.

Some opportunist was trying to take this chance to get away with his airship?! How can he not be angry?

These profligate good-for-nothing sons had no backbone and was so cowardly. Even if they can't fight on the frontlines, they should at least support the people fighting by bringing them supplies.

 If he didn't let them board his airship, were they planning to resort to stealing it!? It seems he need to go teach them a lesson!

"Hmph! I'll be making a trip to our workshop." Duke Ignis said grumpily.

"Mm, take care." Amelia nodded.

Watching her father leave, Rachel uncomfortable that the rest of them were just sitting back doing nothing. Even the Greene family had left to see where they can help with the healing property of their wood ability.

"Mother, I feel we should also help out with the defenses. The destructiveness of our flames would be major help."

"Nonsense. We would only make things worse with our abilities. Have you seen what those creatures are capable of? They can eat flames. Not only would we not be able to help, we would even aggravate them and place ourselves in danger. Those creatures seem very sensitive to heat."  Amelia quickly refuted with a frown.

What she didn't know was that these creatures were resistant to fire, but they were not immune to it. A 9th step fire-user was more than powerful enough to burn them to a crisp. While her daughter's flames might be too weak to burn the crawlers to death, her flames definitely can.

"This…" Listening to help mother's explanation, she felt a sense of helplessness. What could she do?

Suddenly her eyes lit up and said, "Mother, I will go see if Teacher Lina and her parents require assistants."

Amelia watched the back view of daughter and shook her head with a smile. Her daughter had a righteous heart and strong sense of noblesse oblige.

Hmm… she should pay her sworn sister a visit. Her sworn sister would know what to do.

…

Standing at the top of the Inner Palace, Elizabeth sighed at the state of the Capital. She was not a good queen and did not look after the Capital well in her husband's place.

Even if she left the others alone, they would not leave her alone.

She flashed a cold look in the distance

"Summon Crazy Don for me." Elizabeth ordered.

"Err… Elder Don has secluded himself in the pill room for some time now, your majesty." Lily answered respectfully.

"In seclusion? Why would he choose now of all time to start a pill refinement session?" Elizabeth asked with knitted brows.

"The elder isn't in a secluded pill refinement session… he is in secluded cultivation… it has been a few days."

"Oh?" Her expression quickly changed to surprise.

It had been a long time since Crazy Don last entered a secluded cultivation session. The last time was when he was breaking through to nine stars… could it be…?

"Since Crazy Don is in secluded cultivation then never mind." Elizabeth said nonchalantly, but her eyes were shining.

"Go and clean up the east side a bit for me, then you may return to my side."

Since Crazy Don was busy, she decided to send her loyal maid off. Lily was only 26, but she was already a one-star fire-user.

"Yes, your majesty. I will be back shortly." Lily complied faithfully.

She shot to east direction quickly with very powerful big leaps. Residual flames could be seen under her soles.

…

Not long after the palace maid was sent off, the Shadow Guards returned to the Royal Palace. However, they weren't given any time to rest. After receiving new instructions from the Queen, they gathered the entirely of their forces and set off once more.

"Haih… these old bones will be worked to death by her majesty." Kasif shook his head as he headed north to meet the Duke with the rest of his Shadow Guards.

…