Chapter 102: Sending Off the Prince!
Inside the building meant for 4th Prince Hunter, a huge party was in full swing. Pretty much everyone was dressed nicely in formal attire. There were servants, maids, dancers, music, and all sorts of foods. There were even videos, games, and other forms of entertainment. It was certainly a fun time and also an excellent opportunity to truly unwind in the midst of the constant turmoil around the region.
Within the next few months, many sect disciples and allies would be fully mobilizing for various huge missions, and no one knew if they would be called to service or if they would live another day. So why not wind down? In truth, 4th Prince Hunter Helmsley held one of the toughest positions right now. It was all but certain that a certain faction of Brawlmanica's Kingdom had already begun to make attempts at usurping the throne due to the Helmsley regime's weakness following the disastrous war.
That faction had recently begun to truly panic since they did not expect the anomaly that was Hunter and all of the support he'd managed to gather in such a short timeframe. Not to mention the resurgence of 3rd Prince Hamlet Helmsley, who had no interest in the throne but was willing to aid his much younger brother alongside the Great Brawlman Sect.
Prince Hunter, for once, truly let loose and temporarily abandoned his strong and somewhat gloomy disposition, going all out to enjoy this party that was prepared for him.
"Hahaha! I have never seen that Prince like this before! For a while, I thought him and Zoro might have been related," laughed Ramiro while watching Hunter dance with a beautiful sect disciple on the dance floor with joy.
"Oi… Why don't you pipe down spear chucker," said Zoro as he rolled his eyes.
"Oi, how about you watch yourself and just admit that you're just a gloomy butcher," retorted Ramiro.
Those two ended up fighting right after, though it wasn't serious, and Elton had to force them apart with Joe-Pine's help.
"Geez, you boys are always going at it… Why can't you be more like El Onyem? Or even Prince Hunter," Erica asked sarcastically.
"And why can't you just act like the pampered princess you're supposed to be back in our Soloman clan?" said an 18-year-old girl that somewhat resembled Erica, with the Soloman clan pendant clipped onto her sect clothes.
And just like that, another fight broke out as Christy and Shayleaf pulled the two apart. That woman's name was Rija, and similarly to Erica, she was a strong Soloman clan talent, currently at the peak of Gold Tier 2. Although her talents weren't as high as Erica's, they were still very good overall, given her age and combat ability.
"Haaah, ever since Rija appeared with those other Soloman clan members, things have truly been interesting, to say the least," sighed Christy.
Shia by her side couldn't help but laugh a bit.
"Fufufu, that's true. But while Erica is who they are watching out for on the surface, I suspect their real target is…"
"Gege, right? In the end, he too is from the Soloman clan, even though he rejects them. Turns out their actions may have truly been an error, and now they are trying to find ways to subtly get closer to him through Erica. Gege, though, is just too…"
"Elton is really just truly kind with a big sense of justice, but he isn't stupid either."
"Yes, and so I, no, we have decided not to let anyone hurt or betray gege's kindness without repercussions. He is the Leader of our great White Star Radiance group and future sect leader. If not for big brother Zoro, I would have probably taken a certain mantle."
"Lady Christy… You're too young to be having such thoughts. Love really makes people do crazy things…"
"L-L-L-L-LOVE?!?! T-That's not it, Shia! You're misunderstanding!!"
"Yes, yes, I hear you, Lady Christy. You're not quite convincing with your face glowing so brightly red like that, though."
"S-S-STOP THAT! You're misunderstanding!"
And so the party continued.
"Come, come, Elton. Zoro. You as well, Ramiro, and even you, Joe-Pine. Come, everyone, and let's have a toast for a much more promising future ahead of us!! Hahaha!!" gleefully shouted Prince Hunter as he picked up some alcohol-free elixirs that could even aid in cultivation.
"Yes, Prince Hunter, let us toast!" Ramiro excitedly shouted, and they all picked up the elixirs, lifting them high into the air.
"A toast to the Prince!! A toast to brighter futures!!" said numerous voices in the room.
"And now one final toast to victory!! Everyone cheers to great victory and success!!" heroically shouted Prince Hunter as his Gold Tier aura was suddenly released in excitement.
Everyone in the room, feeling the fun, tense, and exciting emotions of the present, all unleashed their auras as they shouted before they all took their drink of the Elixir.
"Cheeeeers!!!"
After that, the dancing and the fun continued for a while longer before eventually the party ended and everyone went on their way.
Later that night, standing outside of the sect walls, looking around at the scenery, was Prince Hunter, once again fitted in his usual heroic yet gloomy expression, with his four followers. His reinforced magical vehicle that was there to pick him up had arrived.
Standing beside him, also looking at the scenery, was none other than Elton. Zoro was standing just a bit behind them.
"…Prince Hunter, you be safe out there. Within the sect, I could sense that there were a few individuals who vaguely had killing intent directed towards you. Surely there will be many people plotting to assassinate you," said Elton with a serious expression as he offered words of warning and concern.
"Hahaha, truly I thank you for your concerns, Sir Elton. Truth be told, your position is not so different from mine, though I'm sure you are aware… To be exact, unlike me, you are still mostly under the radar, but… Zoro's case is different. They will certainly be coming for him aggressively," Prince Hunter replied in jest as he smiled.
"Hmph, there's no need to worry about me. I too will be hunting those people down like the dogs they are," said Zoro with sharp eyes laced with killing intent.
"Zoro, whatever you do, always rely on the friends you have around you. I'm… glad that you two managed to cross paths with each other. Perhaps it's the work of fate? Regardless, justice will be served for your Tatsumaki family. Well then, it is time for us to depart."
Upon hearing Prince Hunter mention the "Tatsumaki family," Zoro's eyes sharpened even more as his fists clenched. He finally confirmed that Prince Hunter truly did know just a bit about his backstory at least.
Zoro then glanced at Elton, who was slightly confused about that part of the conversation but would not ask for details. Zoro could not help but relax his grip and smile.
When he first met Elton, he had already sensed it. They were truly parallels to each other, though unlike Elton, his upbringing was far darker, so in the end, Elton had something that Zoro did not. Likewise, Zoro noticed that he had some things that Elton did not, or at least this Elton…
Yes, Zoro pretended not to notice it, but how could he not be aware since inside of himself lay the workings of certain Devil Lord Arts and various other things? Yet Elton's very presence acted as not just a seal but something to cleanse himself to an extent. Plus the random changes in personality and those times when Elton would space out murmuring to himself.
But Zoro didn't care. Regardless of what path Elton took, he would follow him until the end, because as Prince Hunter implied, Elton was his best friend. The others have even become important to him as well. For their sake, he will continue to be merry, but he will slaughter anyone with ill intentions.