When morning came, almost everyone in Nineveh and beyond woke up with their first thought being that their lord was going to show his face publicly today, and not just that, but he was also going to fight a frightening beast.
In the early hours of the morning, when fog covered everywhere, people had flooded the gates of the arena.
The arena was built for people to watch the soldiers spar against each other, so it only had space for 500 at its best.
Usually there weren't even up to 50 people, but today thousands were struggling to get in. Desolate Wolves stationed at the gate had to make sure they pushed back the crowd.
Officials like the barons and the commanders were led in through a special entry and given a seat at the highest spot.
When the officials came, the sun was already out, and along with Baron Flameheart were Jon and Jane.
Both of them took their seats while Baron Flameheart left for the highest floor.
Jane looked at the solid structure. "This mighty stronghold that houses tens of thousands is owned by that small lord?"
Jon had no words. His guess was that a mighty lord had taken over and was using Asher as a cover.
He thought Asher was just a puppet.
After all, it was impossible for Asher to have all of these in just one year. Just when he thought Goshen was the best, Nineveh came along.
Although it was a stronghold and not a city, its architectural design didn't hold back in beauty, and this didn't reduce the solidness of the stronghold.
Goshen's walls were nothing compared to Nineveh's wall. What shocked Jon the most was the massive war machines on the walls.
"Apologies, but there was a small town called Ash Town somewhere around here. Where is it?"
He turned to a commander.
"You're sitting upon it."
What was going on here? When will these people stop all pretense and tell him the truth?!
The ground rumbled, causing him to grip something, or he would have fallen to the lower seats.
"What's that?!" Jane gasped.
"It's a Thunderous Bloodhorn. Despite locking its powers, it can still cause such tremor. Our Lord is in for a serious battle."
Lambert's voice fell into Jon's ears.
"A Thunderous Bloodhorn! Is he out of his mind?"
A soft, appealing voice rang from behind, causing him and his daughter to turn. Their lips parted as they gawked at the gorgeous fairy flapping her wings ever so slowly.
Her lips were pressed together, probably caused by Jon's words.
Jon bowed. Without being told, he knew this woman wasn't a mere civilian. Although he couldn't see her face because of her priestly garment, he knew just by her body alone that she was an international beauty.
Her wings alone refracted different colors when the sunlight met it from the back. It was a mesmerizing sight to behold.
Not only them but everyone in and outside the arena gazed at the enchanting creature. The only parts of her skin they could see were her lips, the palm and back of her hand, and her feet.
Yet these little skin revealed were like precious jewels in the eyes of the people.
Without another word, Sapphira flew to the highest floor and assumed a seat amongst Baron Flameheart and Baroness Katarina.
Not long after she sat down, the left-sided gates were opened, and a man clad in a golden chest plate stood before the high officials sitting on the highest floor, the only floor that had a canopy.
"That's Kelvin!" Jane exclaimed.
The ground shook. People looked at the left gate, knowing something was coming out of it.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I, Regent Kelvin, would like to introduce you to one of the thought-extinct mythical beasts, the Thunderous Bloodhorn. A ravaging beast known to tear its enemies apart, even a single blow could mean death. A master of lightning and a creature with an armored build."
After the introduction, silence descended in the large arena. Terror has wrapped its tyrannical fingers around their hearts.
Some began to think if they wanted to execute their lord right before their eyes.
"Do not panic; this is one of the old laws of the Ashbournes. It's a ritual... a dreadful one."
The right gate opened, and Kelvin pointed toward it.
"There comes the other opponent. He is Asher Ashbourne, the last remaining male heir of the great Ashbourne house, the white wolf of the north, Lord of the northern wastelands!"
"It's him! It's Lord Asher!!"
"It's the white wolf!"
Hundreds jumped up from their seats, pointing at the right gate as they watched the silhouette of a man get closer and closer.
When he emerged from the darkness, their screams grew even louder. Asher had never seen what 100 percent loyalty could do, but this was a fragment of it.
Their screams were so deafening that the sound of the beast was swallowed.
Jon squinted as he saw a tall man without a tunic walk out of the gate. His firm muscles without a single flaw were completely exposed for all to see.
His biceps, triceps, and abs were all magnificent. The contours were deep yet not so deep, and his muscles did bulge but not too much.
He looked fit, light, and balanced at the same time.
He wore black pants and black leather boots with steel padding. He wrapped a white cloth around both hands and held a unique sword in his right.
"I must say, he has developed a stunning charm." Jane didn't know when those words left her lips.
Eritrea, upon hearing it, chuckled. While people were screaming his name, Asher didn't even lift his head.
It was like they did not exist. His eyes were on the 7-foot-tall beast that just emerged from the left gate.
It had to run from underground to the top, which was why it didn't appear like he did, but that was done in order for him to come out first.
"Euodias, it's time for us to meet again."