Chapter 28 [Bad Premonition]

Amidst the density of trees, in the center of the Laertes Forest stood the kingdom full of vitality and life — the Dionyza Kingdom.

Houses and furniture were cut out from nature. The smell of the grass tainted with the morning dew and the fragrance of the tree during morning hours lingered in the air. Beautiful humans roamed about, different kind of beauties that grab people's attention is everywhere. Their elongated ear add a different taste that made them more attractive and charming.

An Emerald Castle stood out among the rest with its green gradient tiles that lit when hit with sun rays. It looks elegant, dignified, and majestic. This is the place where important meetings take place regarding the country, where the Royals live. This is the Kingdom's Castle — the Emerald Palace.

In that castle, 3 young women and 2 personal guards walk along in the palace's long corridor that seems like a maze.

「So, the reason you want to come to our Kingdom is that you want to learn about the 'Mana Transfer' ?」

Aleethia ask upon hearing the motive of their savior and Koharu nodded in affirmation.

「En」

「Hmmm... I can teach you but didn't humans can't use 'Mana Transfer' since their mana capacity is too small to do so?」

「Well, that was the case...but we have Koharu so don't worry about it too much」

Akane replied to Aleethia's doubt which cause the young woman to be more perplexed. Seeing Aleethia's strange look, Akane said.

「Don't think too much about it!」

Aleethia nodded dazedly and want to retort but Magan's voice interrupted.

「Your Highness, Koharu-donno, Akane-donno... we are here」

In front of Koharu was a huge door, so huge that it make her look like an ant. It was carved from mahogany and jade with exquisite structure and delicate design. Two guards stood parallel to each other in front of the door.

Seeing the Kingdom's princess, they bowed and push open the huge and heavy door.

「Princess Aleethia von Dionyza along with her companions and personal bodyguards entered the Jade Throne Room」

The guard announces in a loud voice. Inside is a large space with a circular table at the center and a pillar. A red carpet is rolled down up to the stairs to the throne. One large throne at the center and one small throne at left and right. There is no shadow of a person on the throne, Koharu roams her eyes and finally catches a figure of a man that looks to be in his forties standing at the window.

The sunlight is sprawling over his robust and healthy body. He has golden hair like Aleethia and a pair of green eyes that looks like the vast greenery at the top of the mountain surrounded by trees and nature. It was gentle, beautiful yet at the same time dangerous. He was gazing over the window that overlook the capital of Dionyza Kingdom, the Erpinham.

「You're back!」

A gentle and at the same time stern voice reverberated through the quiet hall of the Jade Throne Room.

「Yes」

Aleethia said and look over at Magan to signal to report. Magan and Alvin kneel on one knee and Magan said —

「Reporting to his majesty, just like his majesty ordered we have patrolled over the forest. We didn't found any anomaly at first except the forests' monster and beast is many times than usual but when we are about to go back home and made a report about the monsters abnormal number. We are ambushed by a Wing Lion—」

The man's eyebrow knitted at the mention of Wing Lion and interrupt Magan.

「Wing Lion?」

「Yes, It is also probably the reason why more and more monsters appear near our Kingdom's border. I assume that those Wing Lion come from the Nevarno Wild Forest. There is probably a strong monster staying there and the weaker monster was forced out of its inhabitants or got scared by its power...」

Aleethia explains to his father her speculations and hypothesis. His father gravely nodded and finally turn around. The King finally saw the state of his daughter's bodyguards and his daughter herself.

Their clothes are torn and dirty, with blood all over it. Their face looks haggard but what was strange is that although their clothes are torn, and blood and dirt is sprawling all over. No single wounds is visible, not even a single scratch can be found in their body.

Aleethia saw his father's questioning look and answer his father's doubts.

「Father, this is Koharu and Akane. They are our benefactor that saves Magan and Alvin in a fight between life and death situation and she is also the one that heals our injuries」

The King's face showed surprise and disbelief when she saw Koharu and Akane. A young woman yet knows high-level magic is unheard of. Even if she is a genius, observing from the state of her daughter's bodyguard's clothes. It should have been severe yet none of it showed, not even a single scratch.

Koharu who is observing the hall hears her name being mentioned and out of habit when facing important people she introduces herself.

「Greetings your majesty. My name is Koharu — a student of North High Adventurers Academy. It is a pleasure to meet you」

Koharu said while slightly bowing his upper body, one hand over his back and the other front. Kinda like how a prince did when he introduced their self . As for why she did the male curtsey. It is because she is wearing pants, it would be weird if she curtseys like how a noble lady does.

「My name is Akane Bertrand, also student of North High Adventurers Academy. It is an honor to meet the ruler of the Dionyza Kingdom」

Akane also introduces herself properly. Akane is the daughter of the Knight Commander and the famous Royal Magician of Astaeseon Kingdom. It is only expected of her to know some proper manners.

「En. My name is Alfre Dionyza. I thank you for saving my daughter and subordinates. I will make sure to repay your kindness so feel free to tell me anything you want」

Alfre said with a gentle smile and an easy-going tone. She looks more like a kind older brother rather than an old man.

「There is only one thing I want」

When Koharu heard the phrase "feel free to tell me anything you want". Koharu didn't beat around the bush and get to the point. Alfre raises his eyebrow with interest and curiosity, waiting for his next word.

「Aleethia already knows what we want but I will say it again "Can you find someone to teach me the 'Mana Transfer'? "」

Although Koharu said that like a question. It was more like a statement. The King was dumbfounded for a moment then when he process the request of the young girl he laugh out loud.

He thought of many possible requests that this powerful young woman is going to ask. He is ready to give her a bounty of gold and some treasure but she never expected that the request is just to teach her the Mana Transfer. He really couldn't help but laugh.

When the King finishes laughing. She look at the young woman with a light-hearted smile and said

「Okay! I'll arrange someone to teach you」

Alfre said with a smile but for some unknown reason, that smile disturbed Koharu. Koharu didn't notice it but Alfre's eyes flash with mischief for a moment.

『Why do I have a bad premonition?』

Koharu inwardly thought while trying to figure out the reason but failed. So, she could only push it at the back of her mind.