Without wasting a moment, Hugo and Valen shared everything they had just learned with Leon, Lucia, Livia, Mariana, Isabel, and Lulu. They focused on the city's grim state—caught in a forced transition into the Nortrom region under the iron grip of House Clark.
"So, that's how it is," Leon muttered.
"That means House Levent is officially finished," Lucia added.
"The only major powers left in the south are Nortrom, Toreno, and Mirriad. Toreno is the heart of House Clark, and now they've tightened their hold through Nortrom all the way to this port," Hugo explained.
"But they're only just starting to move this city into Nortrom territory, right?" Livia asked.
"From what we've heard, yes. Besides, if Lady Meredith was only executed yesterday, there's no way they've fully occupied the place yet. They'll have to purge whatever is left of House Levent first," Valen answered.
Leon, Lucia, and Livia fell into deep thought, trading glances. After a few moments, they turned their attention to Lulu.
"Lulu, order all the warships to dock at Hargar harbor. Before they can get a foothold here, we're taking this city for ourselves," Leon commanded.
"Right. Set up defenses immediately and send word to the Black Continent to hurry the arrival of our main army," Livia added.
"Build our camp outside the gate right away and send an envoy to House Levent to discuss a partnership," Lucia added.
"Understood, Your Majesties," Lulu replied.
Without hesitation, Lulu stood up and marched out of the bar to carry out her orders. Hugo and Valen watched the three of them in stunned silence, unable to find their voices. Meanwhile, Mariana—who was already well-acquainted with their power—simply sat back and sipped her drink calmly with Isabel. Then Leon, Lucia, and Livia stood up.
"Let's gather the townspeople at the gate," Leon said.
The trio walked out, followed by a confused Hugo and Valen, with Mariana and Isabel bringing up the rear. They headed toward the city gate, which was protected by a fortress. Watching them lead the way, Valen leaned toward Mariana.
"Are they really a king and queens?" Valen asked, still doubting.
"Just watch," Mariana replied with a confident smile.
When they stepped outside the gate, the three stood a short distance away. Livia stepped forward and drew two massive axes surging with yellow energy. "Boom!" She slammed both axes into the ground. A violent earthquake erupted, forcing Hugo, Valen, Mariana, and Isabel to grab onto each other for balance. Leon and Lucia simply stood there with their arms folded.
Suddenly, massive walls—resembling jagged cliffs—erupted from the earth, encircling the entire city except for the main gateway. Outside these new stone cliffs, a wide moat formed. Every soul in the city froze. People poured out of their homes, terrified and amazed to see their town suddenly walled in by artificial mountains. Her work done, Livia rested her axes on her shoulders.
"Your turn, Leon," Livia said with a smirk.
"Got it. Step back," Leon replied. He walked forward as he drew his glowing blue trident.
Leon spun the trident, then pointed it toward the empty trench. Instantly, a roar of crashing waves filled the air as water surged into the moat, filling it to the brim. "Clang!" Leon slammed the butt of the trident into the ground, and the water in the moat began to churn violently like a stormy sea. Then, Leon turned and walked back inside.
"Alright, Lucia. Call the people over," Leon said.
"On it. Give me a second," Lucia replied, summoning her greatsword.
Lucia raised her blade high with one hand. Dark clouds began to swirl in the sky, and massive bolts of lightning struck her sword repeatedly. The thunder was so deafening it rattled every window in the city. Hugo and Valen stood frozen. Their faces were blank, mostly because they didn't even know what expression to make after seeing such a display.
Suddenly, they felt a massive crowd gathering behind them. Hugo turned to see the townspeople—young and old, soldiers and sailors—all huddled together. They were paralyzed with awe, staring at a young man with a blue trident, a girl with a lightning-charged sword, and another with massive axes.
Once the crowd had gathered, Lucia stopped the lightning. Leon stepped forward. He looked at the residents; they were clearly confused, but the crushing sadness from before had started to lift. He flashed them a smile.
"People of Hargar! From this day forward, we—the three sovereigns of House Reinald—are taking over this city. We will take care of you. From here on out, you are our responsibility. House Levent has fallen, and this land was meant to be swallowed by House Clark. We will not let that happen, for we are the rightful owners of this land!" Leon shouted.
"We will defend this city for you, and we will crush any enemy who tries to take it!" Lucia yelled.
"And once everything is safe, we will march on Nortrom—the very land trying to swallow this city. We will conquer all of Libelia and build a new kingdom!" Livia screamed.
Hearing the booming words of the three teenagers, the townspeople fell silent, but hope began to flicker in their eyes. Hugo and Valen were completely mesmerized by the display of power and the weight of their words.
"Support us! Let's move forward together and rebuild Libelia!" Leon cried, raising his blue trident high.
Lucia and Livia raised their weapons as well. Seeing three god-like weapons displayed before them, the people were suddenly filled with conviction. Without a moment's delay, "Thump," the townspeople dropped to their knees, followed immediately by Hugo, Valen, Mariana, and Isabel.
"Long live the King and Queens! We will follow you always!" the crowd roared.
After the trio asked everyone to rise, the townspeople stood up. Not long after, a combined force of demons and barbarians marched out from the city gates. they spread out behind the new stone walls, turning the gap between the city and the cliffs into their military camp. Hugo and Valen approached the three leaders.
"So... you all are from House Reinald? That explains why you look like you're from this continent and not the Black Continent," Hugo noted.
"That's right. We're going to take Nortrom back from our uncle and gather our strength there," Leon answered.
"But what about Toreno and Mirriad? They flank Nortrom from the top and the left," Valen asked.
"Toreno belongs to House Clark as well, so that territory will naturally be absorbed into Nortrom. As for Mirriad, if their ruler is willing to cooperate, we'll work with them. If not, let's just say Nortrom is about to get a whole lot bigger," Lucia answered.
"It all depends on how the ruler of Mirriad responds to the three of us," Livia added.
"I understand, Your Majesties," Hugo and Valen replied with smiles on their faces.
"Hey... don't call us Your Majesties. Call me Livia, he's Leon, and she's Lucia. Got it?" Livia asked with a grin.
"Alright... Livia," Hugo answered.
"Of course... Livia," Valen added.
Meanwhile, in the distance, Dustin, Casey, Cyrill, Noah, and Esme—who had just emerged from the forest—spotted the lightning flashing from a single point far away. Theo, Gwen, and Calvin saw it too, watching from the mouth of a cave in the cliffs looking south. But they weren't the only ones watching. At the fortress of Nortrom Castle, Edgar Clark stood on the ramparts, staring at the massive bolts of lightning striking repeatedly in the south toward the city of Hargar. He stood there, completely stunned.