Chapter : 401
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Chapter : 401
The black cloak vanished. The purple mask melted away. His wrinkled navy blue suit returned. His white shirt hung untucked. He slouched his shoulders completely. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets. He let out a loud, lazy yawn.
"Man, giving motivational speeches is incredibly exhausting," Ken mumbled to himself. He dragged his shoes on the marble floor. Scuff. Scuff. Scuff. "I really hope they saved me a seat in the carriage. I need a nap before dinner."
Ken shuffled lazily toward the exit. He smiled a goofy smile. He had just rejected the most powerful Prince in the Empire, and he did not care at all. He just wanted to go home and eat a very large sandwich.
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Ken Eliot materialized back inside an empty bathroom near the waiting hall.
Ken let out a massive, highly exaggerated yawn. He stretched his arms high above his head. He slouched his shoulders forward. His navy blue suit wrinkled perfectly. He pulled his shirt so it hung untucked over his belt. The terrifying aura of the Sovereign was locked securely away.
"Man, talking to politicians is so incredibly boring," Ken mumbled lazily to himself. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets. "I just gave him the answer to world peace. Now I can go back to taking naps. I really hope Naomi found a snack machine out there."
Ken kicked the bathroom door open. He shuffled slowly down the bright marble corridor. He dragged his cheap shoes on the floor. Scuff. Scuff. Scuff.
He walked back into the massive waiting hall. The rival servants were still glaring at each other. Naomi and Sayma stood near a large pillar. Naomi smiled warmly when she saw him returning.
"Did you find a drink, Ken?" Naomi asked playfully.
"No," Ken complained loudly. He slouched against the pillar. "The vending machine was totally empty. This palace has terrible service. I am going to write a very strongly worded complaint letter."
Suddenly, the towering golden doors of the throne room swung wide open. The royal meeting was over. Princess Iris walked out. Her violet eyes looked thoughtful. She walked over to her team.
"The assembly is finished," Princess Iris announced softly. "We can go back to the estate now."
Ken cheered happily. "Finally! Let us go home! I claim the entire living room sofa for the rest of the day!"
The 13th Unit walked out of the Upper Council building. The bright sun shined down on the grand palace courtyard. The white marble stones looked pristine. The sky was completely clear. It was a beautiful day in the capital city.
Princess Iris walked at the front of the group. She wore her crisp dark blue uniform. Her silver hair was tied in a messy ponytail. She looked very relieved. The meeting with the Emperor was officially over. She just wanted to go back to the estate. She wanted to rest.
Sayma walked right beside her. The Vice-Captain held her neat notebook. She pushed her thick glasses up the bridge of her nose. She looked very calm.
Naomi walked a few steps behind them. She did not wear her strict scowl today. She looked relaxed. She swung her arms casually. She smiled a warm smile.
Laxmi and Zinia followed closely. Laxmi bounced on her toes. She tossed a tiny orange spark of fire between her fingers. Zinia stretched her strong arms. She cracked her knuckles.
Luna shuffled her feet. The lightning user rubbed her sleepy eyes. She let out a massive yawn. She leaned against Ira. Ira stood perfectly still. Her pale face showed zero emotion. Risa walked near them. She hugged her stuffed teddy bear.
Ken Eliot walked at the very back. He dragged his cheap shoes on the marble floor. Scuff. Scuff. Scuff. He wore his navy blue suit. His white shirt hung completely untucked over his belt. He did not wear a tie. His black hair stuck out in wild spikes. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets. He slouched his shoulders as far as they could possibly go.
Ken let out a very loud, dramatic groan. He threw his head back. He stared at the sky.
"My feet are staging a massive protest," Ken complained loudly. "They want a vacation. They want a long break. Walking across this giant courtyard is a terrible idea. We should buy a golf cart. Or maybe a magical moving sidewalk."
Naomi turned her head. She did not yell at him. She just laughed softly. She bumped her shoulder playfully against his arm. She treated him like a very fun, lazy friend.
"Keep moving, Ken," Naomi teased gently. "We are almost at the carriage. You can take a nap on the ride home. I promise I will not wake you up."
"You are a fantastic boss, Naomi," Ken smiled a goofy smile. He popped a strawberry candy into his mouth. He chewed it happily. "I will hold you to that promise. But I am still very annoyed about the cardio."
Suddenly, a booming voice echoed across the courtyard.
It was a very loud, highly intimidating sound. It stopped the 13th Unit in their tracks.
"Iris! Stop right there!"
Princess Iris turned around. Her violet eyes narrowed slightly. She recognized the voice instantly.
The 3rd Prince, Poseidon Belmontia, marched across the pristine marble stones. Poseidon looked incredibly fearsome. He was absolutely massive. He was incredibly muscular. He wore a loose, open green shirt. His chest was deeply tanned from the sun. His wild, sea-green hair blew fiercely in the wind. He possessed a very aggressive, boisterous energy.
Poseidon did not walk alone. A group of tough, scary servants followed him. They looked like rough sailors. They wore dark blue vests. They carried sharp tridents. They glared at the 13th Unit with pure hostility.
Poseidon stopped a few feet away from Iris. He crossed his giant arms. He laughed a very loud, booming laugh. It sounded like crashing ocean waves.
"Well, well," Poseidon mocked loudly. "Look at the little heroes. You solved a murder. You survived a tournament. You think you are very special right now. The entire capital is talking about your pathetic little unit."
Princess Iris stood her ground. She did not flinch. She kept her posture completely perfect. "Hello, Poseidon. We are just doing our duties. We follow the Emperor's rules."
Poseidon sneered. He pointed a massive, tanned finger at her face. "Your duties are getting in my way. You are drawing too much attention. You are stepping out of your lane."
Naomi stepped forward. Her green eyes flashed with intense determination. She rested her hands near her twin daggers. "We are competing in the same war, Prince Poseidon. We have every right to earn points."
Poseidon glared at the red-haired vanguard. He flexed his huge muscles. He tried to project absolute dominance over the smaller girls. "You earn your points in the dirt. You stay in the cities. You stay in the dungeons. But you listen to me very carefully right now."
Poseidon took another aggressive step forward. He towered over Princess Iris.