Chapter 363: Power Play
"Kaiden Grey," the President began with a practiced voice, carrying the kind of cadence that had carried him through wars of words and policy alike. "F-tier awakened, and leader of the group known as Valhalla’s Sinners."
A ripple went through the chamber. A few audible gasps broke out in the form of startled whispers saying "F-tier?" which fluttered among the audience. Yet it was not the scandal it once might have been. Too many knew Kaiden’s story already. Too many had already known of him as an up-and-coming curiosity, but most knew him from having seen the defamation video published by ChronosX.
The President’s gaze moved to Kaiden’s companions. "Luna Asther. Nyx Cosmos. Aria Levander. And..." He hesitated when his eyes landed on the Ra-Blessed Felinid standing proudly beside Kaiden, tail swishing excitedly behind her.
Kaiden understood what the holdup was about. The president didn’t know what to address her as. "For now, she goes by simply Bastet."
"Master!" Bastet’s tanned face lit with indignation as her golden eyes shone mischievously under the chamber lights. Her tail began moving with the speed of a propeller. "It’s Bastet Grey!"
The chamber erupted with murmurs. This was major news. The tamed monster woman was very incredibly curious about just insinuating that she was not only a belonging of a human, but that she considered herself a member of his family, or to be more specific, his wife.
Aria nearly choked on her own breath, coughing violently as Luna’s hand darted to her back with the energy of a proper storm bringer. Nyx’s smirk spread ear to ear as if she’d just been handed the juiciest gossip in the world. The three Valkyries stared at the sly desert empress as though she had just stolen the spotlight—alongside Kaiden’s surname—right in front of them.
Bastet, in turn, stood taller, smug and proud in her crimson-and-gold gown. Her chest was quickly puffed up.
Unfazed, the President gave a nod, though the corners of his lips had the smallest of tremors. "Very well. Bastet Grey."
The introductions complete, his tone shifted, becoming solemn. "Together, this group did more than survive a dungeon break. They saved over a hundred civilian lives during the initial chaos. And that is not all."