Chapter 68: Great horde
When Lucas finally stepped into the grand hall with Lira at his side, the thick tension in the air struck him like a wall. The once composed officials now wore grim expressions as they rushed back and forth between messengers and officers. Even the palace guards stood differently...more alert, their hands twitching by the hilts of their weapons.
His eyes scanned the room until he spotted her, Princess Nyx, standing near a large window that overlooked the distant walls of the city. She wore a silver and navy battle cloth, elegant yet ready for conflict, and her brow was furrowed as she spoke to a captain by her side.
Lucas approached her swiftly, Lira walking close behind him. "Princess Nyx," he called softly, so as not to interrupt but still be heard.
She turned, and for a brief moment, a flicker of relief crossed her face at the sight of him... but it quickly vanished, replaced by a seriousness that made Lucas straighten instinctively.
"What’s going on?" he asked, his voice low, cautious. "What’s happened?"
Nyx inhaled, her eyes flicking toward the large arched doors at the end of the hall, beyond which chaos stirred in the outer city. "It’s a beast attack," she said, her tone hushed yet weighted. "A horde of them. They’re nearing the city walls even as we speak."
Lucas blinked. "A horde?" he repeated, more to himself than to her. He glanced at the nearest guards, at the worried scribes and scurrying aides. This was no routine disturbance.
It hit him then....he had heard of beast attacks in this era, especially outside fortified regions, but since arriving in Xavier’s body, he hadn’t encountered a single one. And from the look on Princess Nyx’s face... this wasn’t a trivial matter.
"What kind of beasts?" he asked quietly.
Nyx shook her head. "We don’t know yet. Scouts were sent, but the fog came down over the valley just after the first horns were blown. All we know is that they’re moving fast and there are too many for the outer watchtowers to hold. Father has summoned the elite units to prepare for defense."
Lucas exhaled slowly. Beside him, Lira stood still, her expression unreadable, but he could sense the spike of tension in her Qi. She was scared. They all were.