Boom!
Boom!
Nux remained steadfast in the hurricane of glances and whispers, his face not a fleeting flash of terror. His frame did not even waver; his golden eyes were serene, icy, unshakeable.
The man who had been muttering and taunting at his side—jealous sneers oozing from his lips mere seconds before—was suddenly sent tumbling by a sole ruinous kick. A glimpse of snowy white leg had sliced through the air like lightning, and before anyone could even blink, the man was already crashing onto the courtyard floor.
His body dragged across the stone, clothes ripping to shreds as blood sprayed from his lips. He rolled and somersaulted a great distance, trailing far behind him. His face contorted in shock, mouth shaking.
"You… struck me? Why… why did you strike me?!" His voice cracked, his previous sneer still rigidly fixed on his face like a mask he was unable to remove.
The audience shifted uncomfortably, perplexed by the sudden change. Even Nux arched a brow in slight surprise.
The statue fell lightly from her blow—Hera. Her hair of gold cascaded down, strands sparkling as she pushed it back with the bare hand. The smooth curve of her snow-white throat basked in sunlight, but her pink, fox-like eyes burned cold as ice. She gazed down upon the fallen man with contempt, her frail face knotted in disdain.
"I've listened to your buzzing long enough. Did you think no one would hear your filthy mutters?" Her voice was cutting, every word a shard of ice. "Here's the truth—don't break in on what doesn't concern you."
She then lifted her chin and pointed boldly at Nux.
"His words will smart, and he will speak roughly, but at least he isn't obscene. At least he has some spine to him. For that, I can have respect. You, however, are nothing more than a pining cur yapping in the shadows. Filthy, petty, and utterly beneath contempt."
Her voice rang out, cold and firm—the voice of one who would not tolerate blasphemy, a saint who was neither hesitant nor merciful.
The man who had fallen shuddered, unable to look her in the eye. Fear cut through his bluster. His lips opened, and he closed them again, and finally he scrambled up and ran off in shame, not even looking back.
Nux's eyes sparkled faintly. This woman… she has spirit. A quick temper, and the guts to act.
And as for the coward who ran away? Nux had endured all those insults beforehand, but he had not cared. Trash remained trash—why waste attention on it? But Hera had intervened, attacking without remorse. That, he found. fascinating.
"Gawk no more. Disperse!" Hera's icy look swept over the crowd.
The crowd winced, hearts shaking beneath her presence. Like birds flushed off a branch, they scattered in breaths, only leaving Nux and Hera behind.
Her War Soul faded as she strode toward him, her foxlike grace giving way to an expression of annoyance. "You bastard. You've been spouting words all day, but not one of them has been the truth."
Nux smirked, lips tilting. "I really don't have a War Soul. Don't believe me?"
She gave a dry laugh. "Oh, please. If you have the courage, let me try it out myself. If you indeed possess no War Soul, I'll stand behind you and address you as father before everyone. I'll vow it on my being the saint of the Soulforge Citadel."
Nux waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it. I'm still young—I've no intention of being a father so early.
"Pfft!" Hera's face flushed red, eyes wide. "You shameless liar!"
"You said it yourself. But one thing's certain—I'm not anyone's father today."
"You—ahhh!" Hera's nails twitched, the urge to claw him half to death plain in her glare.
And yet… her eyes softened, glittering with a spark of curiosity. "What about being friends? You're mysterious. I… think I'd like to know more."
Nux's smile was winning, nearly gentle. "No need. If fate permits, we'll meet again."
She pouted, lips twisting. "Hmph. Smooth words. You're just rejecting me nicely. 'Fate,' is it? Preposterous. I'm stuck in the Soulforge Citadel all the time—I hardly ever leave. You'll never have a chance to locate me again."
"We will meet again," Nux said, voice calm but firm.
Hera raised her eyebrows, pink eyes disbelieving. "Impossible. Do you think it is that easy to see me?"
"Why not?" Nux replied softly, like he was amused.
"You have no concept. Disciples of the Soulforge Citadel aren't individuals you can easily 'see'!" She pouted, the tone laced with a faint resentment.
He just laughed. "If I can see the queen whenever I please, why not the saintess?
The words fell like thunder. Hera bristled, instinctively shooting glances about them, her pulse racing. She dropped her voice, the tone sharp with warning. "Do you have a death wish? Do you wish to die here? To be so disrespectful to the queen of Soulforge Citadel—are you inviting death?"
But Nux merely smiled, unruffled as ever.
She balled her fists, spun around in frustration, and started to walk away. But when no voice welcomed her back, she hesitated, grinding her teeth. Helpless, she whirled around.
"Hey! What do you do here in Soulforge Citadel?"
Nux shrugged. "Not much. Just honoring a vow. One time, there was this woman who said she'd marry me someday. I was here to check if her promise still holds."
As he talked, his eyes turned far away, remembering a face—regal, mournful, lovely. That pitiful girl of yesterday… now the queen who ruled supreme over Spirita.
Hera stiffened, jealousy stinging keen and hot in her heart. Her mouth opened. "That woman. who is she?"
Nux's smile was weak, mysterious. "Doesn't matter. You wouldn't believe me anyway."
"Try me!" Hera exclaimed, thumping her foot. "Say it! I dare to believe."
He leaned in closer, voice teasing. "What if I told you I'm the only person who's higher than everyone else in the Soulforge Citadel? Would you believe it?"
Her thoughts faltered. The first one in the Citadel… did he possibly mean… the queen herself? Rose?
She caught her breath. And then, as if she was seeing the utter ridiculousness of it, looked at him like he'd gone mad. "You're mad. If anyone else heard you blaspheming in this way, they'd lock you in the dungeons and rip you apart limb by limb!"
Nux spread his arms, unfazed. "See? Told you. Nobody ever believes the truth.
"Bah! Cease prattling nonsensicals! To talk so loosely of the queen—you're burying yourself. Close that mouth of yours before it gets you murdered."
But Nux merely sighed, laughing. So even the truth is a madman's prattle to others.
Her face relaxed in spite of herself. "Listen. It's odd to say, but although this is the first time we've met… I don't hate you. So let me warn you—be cautious. The queen is iron-blooded, merciless. She's never shown favor to any man. Even a giant of Spirita who has the temerity to come clean to her is finished. If you keep going on like this, you'll be inviting death.
Nux laughed. "Bizarre. In front of me, she's as tender as anyone else."
"You—!" Hera's heart skipped a beat, anger and incredulity entwined. "You don't know how to respect your life."
She glared, her voice bitter. "I'm her disciple. I know her best of all. She would never—never—be kind to a man. Don't profane her with your fantasies."
"Perhaps," Nux said, his tone calm, "you don't know her as well as you believe.
She gasped for breath. "What? You're telling me you know her better than I do?"
"Most likely," was all he said.
The confidence in his voice unsettled her. Hera's chest moved rapidly up and down, her feelings whirling. How could this man. possibly know the queen better than me?
Finally she shook her head, gasping. "Forget it. I won't waste my breath on you anymore. Just. don't say those things where others can overhear. Even if your words are untrustworthy… I still—"
She bit her lip, spun around, and ran away. But secretly deep within herself, she muttered to herself, I still… want to see him again.
Nux watched her go. Her long legs, her graceful sway, her snow-white calves vanished into the distance. A faint smile curved his lips as he turned toward the towering silhouette of the Pope's Palace—the queen's Palace.
Soon… we'll meet again.
His words carried softly with the wind, uncertain whether they were meant for Hera… or for Rose, the untouchable queen herself.
The soft-boned adorable bunny in his hands moved a bit. Syra's rosy eyes sparkled like morning dew, her slender form quivering under his distracted touch. His hand was softly rubbing her long ears—sensitive areas for her species.
She bit her lip, apprehensive. Should I ask him to do it.?
But then, her heart went all gooey. Forget about it. If he's happy about it… let him be.