Everyone recoiled in stunned silence as a golden circular object shot forth from the majestic starship. Before their very eyes, it transformed into twenty Grand Class Mercenaries.
They stood in two perfectly aligned rows, drawing their gleaming swords and raising them in a synchronized salute to the sky.
"...?!"
Falkor was utterly bewildered. Even Empress Matilda, was visibly stunned by the sheer power emanating from these mercenaries.
"Did you sell them such powerful mercenaries?" King Austin whispered to his wife, Queen Victoria, his voice barely audible above the murmurs of the crowd.
"No... Something isnât right," she whispered back, her gaze fixed on the formidable figures. "These mercenaries are far stronger than ours."
"Whoa! What a grand entrance," Sasha, standing beside her father, muttered, a delighted smile playing on her lips.
"Isnât he going too far?" her father asked, a hint of unease in his tone.
"Going too far? Nope," Sasha replied, her smile widening. "My friend has been in the lowest for far too long. Itâs time for them to rise."
The Queen of the Three-Eyed Nation turned to Jade, who mirrored her surprise and confusion. A silent question hung in the air:
âWould they truly win if they attacked the Beastify Nation now?â
Josephine took a graceful step forward, her gaze sweeping across the assembled dignitaries. She was resplendent in a silver dress, a shimmering crown adorning her head. The jewels that graced her person were all of the highest Grand Class.
"...?!"
"....This?!"
".....?!"
The entire collection of royal families present was utterly dumbfounded. Josephineâs attireâfrom the exquisite dress to the dazzling jewels and even her shoesâwas beyond exorbitantly expensive. Each item was valued at over a billion galaxy crystals. More astonishingly, these were all high Grand Class equipment, with the dress itself being a high Grand Class outfit boasting special boosts and enchantments.
"Is the God Wolf this wealthy?" Falkor asked, a bead of sweat forming on his temple.
"I have to admit, I am impressed," Cain said, his eyes fixed on Josephine.
"Hey, brother, donât even think about her," Cainâs twin, Lewis, chuckled, nudging him.
"You might just lose your head. Even Father wouldnât be able to save you."
"Lewisâ" Cain began, but their motherâs firm voice cut them off.
"âEnough, you two."
Lewis merely chuckled, remaining silent, while Cain could only grit his teeth in frustration.
"Someone else is coming out!"
"No! Two people are coming out!!" someone yelled, their voice laced with excitement.
"....?!"
Falkor exclaimed. "Is that a dragon?"
Sasha gasped. "Is that a Xenon?!"
Everyone stared intently as two more ladies descended the starshipâs stairs, walking right behind Josephine. Both were adorned in elegant blue dresses, studded with glistening gemstones. Like Josephine, they too were fully clad in Grand Class equipment.
"It seems we arenât getting anything good in this auction," Gabriel, who had just arrived, whispered to Empress Matilda.
"Heâs just showing off," she replied, her gaze fixed on the scene. "Weâll discover his limit inside."
Gabriel studied her side-profile for a few seconds before nodding slowly.
TAP!
All eyes snapped back to the starship as Sunny took a single step. He was dressed in black pants and a striking red coat, completely shirtless, proudly displaying his well-built, muscular chest to everyone.
"....?!"
"Wow... So handsome!! Is that the God Wolf?"
A collective gasp of admiration rippled through the women present, including the Queens and even Empress Matilda herself.
"WOW." Matilda muttered, almost to herself.
"Hmm... A half-wolf and half-snake? Is this a unique bloodline?" Falkor pondered, a frown creasing his brow.
"A Celestial Rank, Stage 6?!!" Lewis exclaimed, utterly stunned.
âHe... he is the strongest amongst us,â the Queen of the Three-Eyed Nation thought in a shock that reverberated through her.
Sunny stopped directly before Falkor, completely ignoring Matildaâs presence.
"God Wolf, welcome," Falkor said, bowing respectfully. "Itâs our honor having you here." He straightened up and then, with a slight hesitation, asked:
"About the warships and battleships...?"
"Just my escort," Sunny replied with a calm smile.
Josephine, who could not have dreamed of standing among such esteemed kings and queens, remained silently beside him, not uttering a single word.
âWhen I have the chance, I will kill you!â Jinx thought inwardly, her gaze fixed on Matilda. She was in her true form, a form no one had ever witnessed before.
__
One mile from the bustling venue, Jabez opened his eyes, his expression cold.
"Killing intent has been locked on the Queen," he stated, his gaze piercing the distance towards the gathering.
"Itâs coming from her," Alastor confirmed, pointing in Jinxâs direction.
"Kill her after the gathering, but not in the Dragon Nation," Jabez ordered, and the two figures behind him nodded in silent acknowledgment. "The Queenâs safety is of the utmost importance," he concluded.
__
"Okay... Now that everyone is here... We can finally begin!" Falkor declared, turning and leading the way towards the grand building.
"Are you okay, bestie?" Sasha rushed to Josephineâs side, taking her hand.
"Yes... This is all new to me," Josephine admitted, a slight flush on her cheeks.
"Wonât you introduce me to your husband?" Sasha urged, a playful pout on her lips.
"Oh..." Josephine turned to Sunny.
"Love, this is my best friend, Sasha. She helped me a lot. And Sasha, this is my husband, God Wolf."
"God Wolf? What a nice name," Sasha said with a warm smile, her gaze lingering on Sunny for a moment.
"Thanks," Sunny nodded curtly, then followed the kings, with Ellen walking composedly beside him.
"A friend looking at her friendâs husband with lust... So pitiful," Jinx muttered, walking past the two, making sure her words were clearly heard by both.
"...?!"
Sasha was momentarily stunned, then quickly turned to Josephine.
"Itâs not like that! Itâs just your husbandâ"
"âI understand," Josephine said with a gentle smile.
"At the moment, you arenât the only one. Even the Dragonâs young miss is eyeing him." She added:
"Iâm just lucky he chose me first."
"Thatâs good... And I heard your clan mark each other and seal the bond with intimacy... Have you two?"
"You! What are you asking!" Josephine exclaimed, her face turning crimson, as she hurried past her friend.
âThis girl... If you donât claim your loot, someone else will take it,â Sasha thought, a determined glint in her eyes, as she quickly followed after her friend.
The remaining onlookers watched as the impressive mercenaries vanished as quickly as they appeared, while the two colossal starships soared into the air and flew away.
âI donât get it... Why two starships if no one is in the second one?â Jade pondered, trailing behind her Queen.
âIs he showing us his strength so we wonât attack?â She looked ahead at Sunnyâs broad back.
"What do you think?" Gabriel asked Matilda, breaking the silence.
"Huh?" Matilda turned to him, a confused expression on her face.
"That God Wolf? Can he be trusted?"
Matilda stared at Sunny, who had just entered the building with his group, and slowly shook her head.
"No... That little dragon... She must be his adopted daughter, but why the Xenon? Why are there so many different races around him? Something isnât right here." She paused, then added:
"We need more information about this God Wolf."
"Leave that to me," Gabriel replied, his gaze sharp and unwavering.