Novel Full Chapter 883: The Azure Serpent Queen
Chapter 883: Chapter 883: The Azure Serpent Queen
The smell of grilled river fish and sweet coconut rice filled the air of the inn’s breakfast hall. Kain sat comfortably at the table, happily devouring the local specialty while humming under his breath while occasionally looking up with a gaze filled with schadenfreude.
Across from him, Takeru looked like death itself—pale, hollow-eyed, and with dark circles so deep he resembled a panda.
Serena sat beside Kain, completely unaware of the real reason behind Takeru’s condition. Her expression carried a mix of embarrassment and scolding. “Takeru,” she said finally, crossing her arms, “you shouldn’t… overexert yourself before such an important day. We’re meeting the Queen today, remember?”
Takeru flinched, nearly dropping his spoon. “I didn’t do anything last night!” he protested, voice cracking. “Right when I was about to—she—she—HE—!”
He choked on the last word, face flushing crimson as he stammered incoherently. Serena blinked in confusion, not quite understanding his panic.
Kain nearly spit out his food, barely managing to cover his grin. “Oh? So you did—”
“Don’t!” Takeru cut him off sharply, pointing a trembling finger at him. “Not a word!”
Serena frowned, glancing between the two of them. “What are you two talking about?”
“Nothing!” Takeru said quickly, snatching his cup of tea and gulping it down like his life depended on it.
Kain just smirked, eyes gleaming with amusement. He leaned back casually. “Well, if you say so. I totallybelieve that you didn’t ’overexert’ yourself before the big meeting, alright?”
Serena gave him a suspicious look, but before she could pry further, Takeru stood abruptly. “We’re wasting time. Let’s just go to the palace.”
Kain chuckled softly, standing up and stretching. “Lead the way, Your Highness.”
—————–
The royal palace of the Azure Serpent Kingdom dominated the heart of the capital, sprawling across a vast compound that could have swallowed several city blocks. Tiered golden roofs gleamed under the morning sun, their blue-tiled ridges curving upward like waves frozen mid-crest. Massive pillars carved with coiling serpents lined the marble walkways, each scale etched in careful detail. Walls of white stone reflected the light off jade and crystal inlays, while wide courtyards shimmered with shallow reflecting pools that flowed gently into one another. Rows of hanging metal chimes rang softly in the humid breeze, mingling with the distant sound of temple bells and the steady rush of running water.
As they approached the main gate, the air grew thick with humidity and faint traces of incense. A line of guards stood at attention, their armor covered in deep turquoise scales, serpent emblems gleaming on their chests. Their spears reflected the morning light with a blinding light.
One guard stepped forward and raised a hand. “State your business.”
Takeru straightened, his usual casual air fading into something more regal. “I am Takeru Sun of the Rising Sun Royal Family. My aunt, Queen Himiko, would be able to vouch for my identity. I request an audience.”
The guards exchanged doubtful and uneasy looks. One bowed slightly. He turned and hurried toward the palace gates, disappearing into the sunlit courtyard beyond.
The remaining guards hesitated, then motioned for the group to follow. They were escorted into a large receiving hall—its ceiling high and painted with murals of coiling Nāgas descending from the clouds. Water channels ran beneath the crystal floor, the steady sound of flowing water giving the illusion that the entire hall floated.
Kain glanced around, quietly impressed. “Not bad,” he murmured.
Serena nodded faintly beside him, her expression calm—but her eyes sharp. “Let’s hope the royal family is as nice as their architecture.”
They waited in the shimmering hall, the faint scent of lotus and jasmine in the air, as footsteps began to echo from beyond the great doors.
The massive golden doors swung open with a soft groan. A procession of attendants entered first, their footsteps light, carrying fans and censers that released streams of fragrant smoke. Then, at their center, came Queen Himiko of the Azure Serpent Kingdom.
She was strikingly beautiful—pale-skinned like the people of the Rising Sun, with straight, lustrous black hair cascading down her back and deep brown eyes that seemed to hold both warmth and command. Her attire was intricate, a layered gown of sapphire and ivory silk embroidered with tiny silver-scaled serpents and patterns of flowing water. Golden bangles coiled around her wrists, and an ornate crown that seemed to be composed of tiny carved serpents rested upon her head. Though her bearing radiated maturity and regality, her features looked barely older than Takeru’s.
Behind her walked a young man in ceremonial blue robes who brightened instantly at the sight of them. “Cousin!” he exclaimed, hurrying forward before stopping respectfully by her side. His complexion was slightly darker than hers, his features clearly showing his blended ancestry of both the Rising Sun and Azure Serpent peoples.
Clearly this was the crown prince of the Azure Serpent Kingdom, the Queen’s son, and Takeru’s cousin. Meaning that, as Kain suspected, the queen was older than her appearance would suggest. Not that this was unusual. The stronger the amount of spiritual power an individual had, usually the slower they would physically age.
And Kain could feel the Queen’s aura even from across the hall—it was vast and controlled, unmistakably that of a high-level beast tamer. Her power pressed gently against the air like an unseen tide.
When her gaze landed on Takeru, her eyes widened and her composure briefly faltered. “Takeru?” she breathed, disbelief giving way to relief as she crossed the hall and embraced him tightly. Tears welled at the corners of her eyes. “By the ancestor’s light, you’re alive… I thought I had lost all of you.”
But after the first rush of emotion faded, confusion clouded her face. She stepped back slightly, studying him. “But… how?” she murmured, her tone shifting subtly. Her sharp gaze flickered with suspicion, though not hostility. She knew her nephew—an ordinary young man who, despite his royal lineage, had never awakened as a beast tamer. Her brother, the former king of the Rising Sun Kingdom, had tried every method to awaken him, all to no avail.
Yet the person standing before her now emanated a faint but undeniable spiritual aura—red-grade spiritual power which would be impossible for an ordinary person to attain since they are forever stuck at white-grade. In the Celestial Empire, such power would make him a 2-star beast tamer, in the former Rising Sun Kingdom he’d similarly be called a 2-sun beast tamer, while here in the Azure Serpent Kingdom, they called them ’Twin Currents.’
Her heart was conflicting with her head due to her not believing the sight before her, but her senses didn’t detect deceit. This felt like Takeru—not an illusion, not a disguised imposter.
Realizing the gravity of the situation and the many eyes watching, Queen Himiko’s expression softened. She turned to her attendants and guards. “That will be all for now. Leave us.”
Once the hall emptied, she gestured for Takeru, Kain, Serena, and her son to follow. “Come,” she said quietly. “We’ll speak in private.”
Takeru’s cousin, whose aura Kain sensed was roughly five stars in strength, kept giving his cousin curious, sidelong glances as they followed the Queen down a quiet marble corridor. The hallways here were lined with small channels of running water, causing a soft background song of moving water to constantly be heard.
They entered the Queen’s private study, a large circular chamber with walls of carved jade and shelves full of expensive looking enchanted equipment and what looks to be old and delicate book. A shallow pond occupied the center, lotus flowers floating gently on its surface.
The Queen turned to face them, her expression calm but probing. “Takeru,” she said evenly, “tell me how this happened. You were never able to awaken before.”
Takeru bowed slightly, still smiling awkwardly. “That’s true, Aunt. But I did awaken—recently. And it’s thanks to him.” He gestured toward Kain.
Queen Himiko’s gaze followed his hand and landed on Kain, studying him with renewed interest. “You helped him awaken?”
Kain inclined his head politely. “He had the potential all along. I only provided a method to draw it out.”
Takeru chuckled softly, trying to ease the tension. “That’s part of why I came, Aunt. Of course, seeing my beloved aunt again was my first reason.” His grin faded slightly as his tone turned serious. “But I also heard that you’ve taken in survivors from the Rising Sun Kingdom. I hoped to help see if some of the ordinary people could awaken too—to give them strength to fight the Abyss. Maybe even hope to rebuild the Rising Sun Kingdom one day.”
The Queen’s eyes softened, but her thoughts clearly turned inward. As someone born in the Rising Sun herself, even if she was now technically the citizen and queen of another Kingdom, she carried that same buried longing to see their homeland restored. She paced slowly beside the pond, her reflection rippling in the water.
Finally, she nodded. “You are correct. Many refugees from the Rising Sun and the northern territories have been gathered. A new city was established to house them—one protected and supported by this kingdom’s resources. If your method can truly awaken them safely… then perhaps the long line of our people need not end here.”