The Terrifying Gaze
Looking around, Nux talked slowly, his voice deep but piercing, every sentence like a knife slicing the air:
"I've never been mocked so long ago, and I couldn't keep myself from feeling this way, so I shook twice in rage. I apologize… it looks like something was misinterpreted just now."
The crowd's wicked, maniacal laughter stopped midair, as if their throats had been pinched. Eyes opened wide, jaws dropped, and all the bystanders gawked at Nux in shock.
"Isn't this fellow… uncultivated?"
"He's only a kid! How could he be that much stronger than us?"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Isn't he just a prettier commoner?"
Even though they were so sure, the knights' arrogance was based on two truths: the Queen had never liked men, and it was impossible for a man to come near her freely. From these facts, they dared to behave so boldly.
Now, Nux's body did not emit any aura of cultivation at this moment. But the smile of wickedness—the wicked smile's curve—on his face made the silver-armored knights around him restless.
Nux's intense black eyes raked over the circle, fixating on the Spiritual Monarch with five rings. His tone was deadpan, even, but weighted with judgment, as if delivered from the gates of Hades itself. It ran shivers down spines.
"Let me ask you a question."
The five-ring Spiritual Monarch stiffened, unease creeping into his posture. For the first time, he hesitated. He could detect no cultivation in Nux, yet something intangible—something primal—set his nerves on edge. He took a cautious half-step back.
"You're arrogant—" the monarch began, but Nux's next words cut through the air like a whip.
"Does your mother know?"
The question hit like lightning. The Spiritual Monarch's eyes went instantly redshot. His fists tightened as if holding on to life itself.
"You are too proud," he snarled, veins pulsing at his temples. "Perhaps I misunderstood a moment ago… but whoever you are, this is not your domain to behave so brazenly before the Soulforge Citadel."
He turned abruptly, voice commanding: "Brothers! Don't delay! Regardless of where this boy comes from, we've pushed him into it. I'm sure he doesn't have a cultivation foundation. Let's attack together and have it done quickly. Later on, if the behind-the-scenes powers who sponsored him come to retaliate, we'll say that we were provoked first. We were forced!"
His words kindled the knights' determination. Panic blazed in their eyes, but so did determination, killing fury swelling. They moved forward, continued their assault.
Nux raised an eyebrow, chuckling. "Skilled at getting onto a horse, are you? Really, you entertain me."
He crooked his fingers toward the approaching danger. "You're correct—I don't have any cultivation. So… get on with killing me."
"Ah! Bravado boy!"
You have the audacity to speak idiocy in the face of death? Brothers, don't hesitate! Strike him down quickly!"
The five-ring Spiritual Monarch moved first. His rings of soul burst outward, creating the illusion of a bellowing tiger that screamed across the sky. Stripes of shining soul light sliced the courtyard. Energy storms bellowed, surging forward toward Nux like waves bent on annihilating him.
"Idiots." Nux's voice was gentle, almost playful, but heavy with death.
Killings intent flared all around him. But serene as a summer lake, Nux pinched the ears of the Soft-Boned Charm Rabbit held in his arms.
"Shua!"
Rosy light burst, spilling like sunrise over the courtyard. The silver-armored knight attacks were erased in an instant. Energy storms were devoured whole, with nothing but stunned, terrified faces that hung frozen in amazement.
"What… what did I just see?"
"I… I am immobilized!"
"What sort of magic is this?"
Screaming, shouting, terror—all stood in place of the former haughtiness. All the knights stood petrified, immobile, their eyes wide with dread and despair.
Nux's head shook slowly, nearly tenderly.
"You folks… if you're obedient, you're arrogant and superior. If you fight back, you bow and obey your master. As you won't be good, then kneel down and be hounds."
"Plop!"
Pink light crushed like a divine pressure. The silver-armored knights fell one by one to their knees. The steel armor and the floor tiles creaked as they shattered under the pressure.
Now, utterly traumatized, the knights pleaded for mercy.
Only the five-ring Spiritual Monarch had a remnant of pride, his voice shuddering yet authoritative:
Beating a dog is up to its owner. Even if we made a mistake, if you kill us… the Soulforge Citadel will never forgive you. Besides… my uncle is a Spiritual Ascendant! Touch me and he won't forgive you!"
Nux took a step forward, displaying a grin. "Your uncle is a Spiritual Ascendant, is he?"
"Yes! If you're sensible… let me go!"
Snap!
At a flick of his fingers, Nux hurled several of the monarch's teeth into the air. The pain spread out across his face as it immediately swelled, causing him to gasp for air.
"You… how could you!" The anger and shock on the monarch's face were evident. Does this boy have any idea what a Spiritual Ascendant is capable of? My uncle is a Spiritual Ascendant of the Hall of Spirits!
Snap!
The next word was cut off by another blow.
Nux gazed at the puffy, asymmetrical face and grinned contentedly. Symmetry, after all, mattered.
"My uncle…" the queen stuttered, flailing and enraged.
But Nux braced his foot on the monarch and stamped him to the floor. Bending down, he spoke quietly and with calculated cruelty:
"Your uncle… a Spiritual Ascendant? My Rose, your Queen, bows down to me. Think from that viewpoint you are able to gauge my pride and power?"
Blood covered the monarch's face. Resentment and anger churned in his eyes. "You… insult the Queen? Regardless of your lineage… you are dead!"
One guard bellowed in alarm, "My lord! My uncle is approaching!"
Nux's eyes rose toward the streaming light flying across the heavens towards the Queen's Palace. A soft, almost mischievous smile rode his lips.
"Then… let us see if your uncle will be able to defend you."