Chapter : 432
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Chapter : 432
"Hera," Princess Iris greeted politely. She kept her back straight. "Welcome to our estate. What brings you here today?"
Hera did not smile. She looked around the living room. She looked at the dusty bookshelves. She looked at the old, worn-out sofas. She looked at the empty juice boxes stacked on the floor. Her lip curled upward in absolute disgust.
"This place is completely dreadful, Iris," Hera stated coldly. Her voice was smooth, but it carried a sharp edge. "I truly do not understand how you live in such a disorganized, pathetic environment. It smells like old books and cheap food."
Naomi stepped forward. Her green eyes flashed with intense loyalty. She did not like people insulting her home. "Our home is perfectly fine. State your business, Princess."
Hera ignored Naomi entirely. She treated the vanguard leader like an invisible insect. Hera kept her eyes locked on Iris.
"I am not here to trade insults," Hera announced. She took a slow step further into the room. Her expensive shoes clicked sharply against the wooden floorboards. "I am here to finish a conversation. I came here a few days ago through my envoy. I offered a very generous deal. A servant swap. My offer was rejected. I decided to handle the matter personally this time."
Hera turned her head. Her sharp green eyes scanned the room. She completely ignored Laxmi. She ignored Sayma. She ignored Olivia. Her gaze landed directly on the boy sitting on the floor.
Ken Eliot slouched against the sofa. His white shirt hung untucked. His dark blue suit pants were slightly wrinkled. He chewed loudly on an apple slice. He looked back at the 2nd Princess with sleepy, half-closed dark eyes.
"I am here for him," Hera declared. She pointed a perfectly manicured finger at Ken.
Ken stopped chewing. He blinked his eyes. He looked at her finger.
"Are you pointing at me?" Ken asked lazily. He swallowed his food. "Because if you are here to complain about my juice box tower, you are too late. I already finished it. It is a load-bearing structure now."
Hera lowered her hand. She let out a long, very annoyed sigh. She could not comprehend his lazy attitude. She walked over to a clean wooden chair. She wiped the seat with a silk handkerchief before she sat down. She crossed her legs gracefully.
"I am not here to play silly games, Ken Eliot," Hera spoke directly to him. Her voice sounded incredibly strict. "I am here to give you a reality check. I am here to completely dismantle your false sense of security."
Naomi walked over and stood right next to Ken. She crossed her arms. She stood tall and protective. "He does not need a reality check. He is perfectly safe with us."
"Safe?" Hera mocked. She laughed a cold, dry laugh. "You call this safe? Look at yourselves. You are a complete disaster."
Hera leaned forward. She began a very detailed, highly aggressive political pitch. She wanted to tear their confidence apart piece by piece.
"Let us look at the facts," Hera said. She raised one finger. "First, the 13th Unit has absolutely zero financial backing. Your treasury is completely empty. You spent your last gold coins just to enter the recent tournament. You cannot afford proper weapons. You cannot afford premium healing supplies. If you get seriously injured, you will not have the resources to recover."
Risa hugged her teddy bear tightly. She looked a little sad. She knew they did not have much money.
Hera raised a second finger. "Second, your roster is a joke. You have a fire user who cannot control her temper. You have an earth mage who relies purely on brute force. You have a lightning user who sleeps through entire battles."
Luna snored quietly on the bench. She did not hear the insult.
"You have a Vice-Captain who reads storybooks," Hera continued ruthlessly. "And you are led by a Princess who cares more about feelings than actual strategy. You are a collection of strays. You do not function like a real military unit. You just stumble into lucky victories."
Laxmi clenched her fists. Tiny orange sparks popped around her fingers. She wanted to yell at the arrogant Princess. Zinia placed a calming hand on Laxmi's shoulder to stop her.
Hera raised a third finger. She looked directly into Ken's dark eyes.
"Third, and most importantly," Hera warned. Her tone became incredibly dark and serious. "The Succession War is escalating. You managed to annoy some very powerful people recently. The 1st Prince is watching you. The 5th Prince wants you eliminated. The corrupt nobles in the capital are actively plotting against this specific estate. You have a massive target painted on your back."
Hera sat back in her chair. She folded her hands neatly on her lap.
"Princess Iris cannot protect you from the storm that is coming," Hera stated with absolute certainty. "She does not have the political influence to shield you from the Upper Council. If you stay in this crumbling house, you will be caught in the crossfire. You will be crushed by factions that are ten times stronger than this pathetic group."
The living room went totally silent.
Sayma pushed her glasses up. She felt a deep sting in her chest. She knew Hera was using factual data to scare them. They were outmatched in resources. They were outmatched in political power.
Princess Iris stood near the dining table. Her violet eyes looked very determined. She refused to look intimidated. "We may lack money, Hera. But we do not lack loyalty. We protect our own."
"Loyalty does not stop a magical sword, Iris," Hera scoffed. She turned her attention entirely back to Ken. She wanted to see him panic. She wanted to see him beg for a way out.
Ken Eliot did not panic. He did not look scared. He did not even look slightly worried.
Ken reached into the pocket of his wrinkled pants. He pulled out a small, colorful bag of gummy worms. He opened the bag. He pulled out a long, bright green gummy worm. He held it up to the light.
"This one looks like a snake," Ken mumbled casually. He popped the candy into his mouth. He chewed it slowly. He slouched his shoulders even further.
Hera stared at him. Her perfect, confident expression faltered for a second. "Are you even listening to me? I just told you your life is in extreme danger."
"I am listening," Ken replied lazily. He swallowed his candy. "You said we have no money, we are a mess, and scary people want to beat us up. I heard all of it. It was a very nice speech. You have excellent vocal projection."
Hera gritted her teeth. She hated his goofy attitude. She hated his complete lack of fear. She decided to push harder. She decided to offer him the ultimate reward.
"You think this is a joke," Hera said coldly. "But I am offering you an escape. I am offering you a way to survive the upcoming disaster."
Hera gestured to the pristine warrior standing behind her.
"I am giving you a second chance," Hera declared proudly. "I am offering you a place in my unit. A place under my direct custody."