Grapevine (Zetheria Series #1)

Chapter 17: Coldblooded Slayer

The Emperor watched as his knights and one of the debutantes fought the monstrous creatures.

As much as he wanted to fight, his outfit was too heavy for him to move. He could use a few spells, but it would clash with the spells that comprised his disguise. Still, he wasn't helpless in this state. He had means to fight. Unfortunately, those were not appropriate in this situation since he would risk harming his own knights.

Even with his strength and expertise, in this case, he won't be of much help. His costume simply won't allow him to perform at his best. If he forced it, things might turn very ugly. So, he had to sit back let them deal with the commotion.

The Grand Empress seemed to share his thoughts.

They backed in to a corner, watching the battle with grim faces. They casted a barrier around them.

The debutante was especially ferocious. Her vines followed her every command. They indeed moved like an extension of her own body.

As more and more monstrous creatures escaped the hastily built fortifications in the outside hall, the knights fought with their swords. Some of them tried to push the door close, however, there were too many monstrous creatures, some of the knights who attempted it were sent flying on the dark wall, sliding into the floor like rag dolls.

Selene's eyes turned sharp. Her vines detached from her body and turned into sharp projectiles. They floated in the air for some time and with a single mental command, they rained down the monstrous creatures. Some slid off on the marbled floors, most of it pierced through their thin feathers and bit deep into it.

The flower isle had long been destroyed. The floor turned slick with fresh blood, making it a lot more challenging for the knights to move.

Selene took off her heels and threw it to the side. She let her hand form into a spear, and use it to gut the hawks, swinging it like a ruthless butcher.

The knights were forced to acknowledge her skills as they all saw how she took down the monstrous creatures.

She ran to one of the hawk like creatures and swung it with glistening eyes. It was only for a split second, but the Emperor did not miss it.

Blood rushed out of the monstrous creature neck. It let out one last screech, and grew completely still. It fell on the floor with a crash.

"Who is that young warrior?" The Grand Empress inquired.

"Those vines show that she's a Rosseficent."

"The girl who awakened recently?"

"That's her."

"How is she controlling her magic that fast? Is she a genius?"

"The Rosseficent trains their magic in strange ways."

The Emperor followed Selene's movements with his eyes.

'So, that's... Selene Rosseficent.'

She was no stranger to him. He had heard her name being mentioned at social events and he wasn't ignorant on how the society viewed her.

The rumors didn't do her any justice at all.

'How can a woman of high status and exotic beauty be so ridiculed?'

In any case, she was popular. Even more so after she made a name for herself in the frontlines. The Emperor had seen her briefly at the Air Base, but she had not seen her fight.

"She could be a spy." The Grand Empress turned away from the ensuing battle with a heavy sigh.

"Less likely."