Chương 139: An Unexpected Ally

Teresa was wearing a white robe and looking at herself in the mirror as she removed her earrings, which were decorated with green pearls. Naomi was lying on the bed, her face was slightly flushed. Through the reflection in the mirror, she watched Teresa silently.

"Naomi…we will have to reduce the frequency of our meetings", Teresa said in her usual controlled tone.

"Has something happened, Your Grace? Is that why you asked me several times tonight to make sure no one saw me?"

"Yes. It seems that some servants have been spreading rumors about us. The king has already had them hanged, but it is better not to take unnecessary risks. Our meetings will have to be less frequent and take place in less suspicious locations". Naomi sat up.

"Whatever you wish, my Queen". Teresa gave a faint smile and stood up. She approached the bed, but at that moment, a loud knock at the door interrupted her.

"Queen Mother, His Majesty has summoned an emergency council", announced a Golden Knight from the other side of the door. Teresa looked at Naomi.

"Wait here. Don't sleep". Naomi nodded. Teresa slipped on a pair of white slippers and left the room. She made her way toward the council chamber. The room was shrouded in icy silence. The candles illuminated the tense faces of Serjey and Karl, both pale as stone. Even Declan, who was usually difficult to read, appeared more tense than usual. Oscar was standing with his hands planted firmly on the table, his expression filled with anger and stress.

Teresa looked at them one by one, immediately realizing that something had happened.

"What happened? Why do you all look like that?" she asked as she took her seat at the opposite head of the council table. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Serjey swallowed.

"The war…has completely turned around".

"The forces of the coalition from the Southern Lands and Central Lands are advancing. Kilometers upon kilometers, at an astonishing speed", Karl added in a sleepy voice. Teresa pursed her lips.

"How is that possible?"

"Witnesses have reported swords imbued with magical powers", Declan explained.

"Corpses rising back to their feet, a sword surrounded by flames…we suspect they are Legendary Swords". Teresa stiffened.

"Legendary Swords? Like the fire sword that Golden Knight commander possessed?" Oscar nodded, his voice breaking with frustration.

"Yes, Mother. Exactly like his. We thought it was the only special sword…but there are others". He slammed his fists onto the table.

"There are seven of them. And the coalition possesses all seven. In other words…we're fucked". Teresa looked him in the eyes. Oscar was not merely nervous. He was afraid.

"No, darling. Not yet. We have the dragons. Don't forget that", she said, trying to reassure him. Oscar shook his head.

"They aren't enough. Three of them are still young…they won't be able to stand against those swords. Their powers…defy any logic and render any strategy useless".

"That is true". Xarath's voice came from behind them. They immediately felt a spiritual pressure. Xarath had reduced it to the bare minimum to prevent them from losing consciousness, but it was still unpleasant, almost nauseating. Everyone spun around. The Golden Knights immediately stepped in front of Oscar, weapons at the ready.

"Your Majesty, behind us!"

"You…don't take another step!" They shouted, staring at Xarath with obvious tension. Teresa recognized him immediately. She did not speak at first, but eventually hatred overwhelmed her.

"You…bastard!" Teresa screamed. Oscar looked at her in confusion.

"You know him?"

"Yes. He is a monster". Teresa's voice trembled with hatred.

"He is the one I told you about. The white-haired mage who enslaved me along with other magical creatures. If it weren't for the dragons, I would have died". Oscar stared at the stranger.

"You…you're a mage?"

"I am. My name is Xarath Atlas. And I am here to help you, Your Majesty".

"Help me?" Oscar asked, becoming increasingly confused by the situation. In the desert, Felicity suddenly stopped.

"Is that an hallucination, or can you see it too?" she asked. A large city was emerging in the distance before them. Ethan narrowed his eyes.

"I can see it too". Agnes' eyes widened.

"A city?!" she shouted.

"Let's go! I'm dying of thirst!" She immediately started running.

"Wait!" Ethan shouted as he chased after her. Felicity advanced more slowly. The city stood on the horizon, enormous and surrounded by imposing walls. Every building seemed to be constructed from rare, almost unreal blue-and-white stone. Despite still being far away, the colors were so striking that they could be clearly distinguished. Ethan studied it more carefully. Then he recognized it. It was the city of Aqareth. The largest city in the Southern Lands.