Hunter Of The Six Realms

Chapter 19

Alira sat quietly inside the red-and-gold-trimmed carriage as it rolled through the lower district. Her hand rested under her chin, half-bored, eyes scanning the crowd outside the window. The market wasn't particularly busy this time of day, but her gaze stopped when she saw it, white hair.

Her brows furrowed slightly.

"Stop the carriage," she said, sitting up straighter.

The guard seated in front jolted. "Princess?"

"Now."

The horses neighed as the carriage halted. Her maid, startled, leaned toward her.

"Is something wrong, Your Highness?"

Alira didn't take her eyes off the alley. "No. I'll handle it, wait here for me."

Before anyone could stop her, she stepped out of the carriage and onto the cobbled street. Her crimson dress swept behind her like a streak of fire, drawing attention. People nearby turned, whispers starting almost immediately.

"That's the fire princess—"

"Alira Flameheart..."

"She's the one with the temper, right? What is she doing here?"

One by one, bystanders who'd been watching stepped back, clearing the path as she approached.

A few meters ahead, Kaizen stood motionless. Frozen, literally... in thick layers of ice. His arms were sealed to his sides, up to his neck. His legs buried in frost, climbing to his thighs. Despite it all, his expression was stone cold.

The previous grin on Rulo's face had disappeared, now replaced with a look of frustration and anger.

Alira took one look at Kaizen and immediately knew this was him. The boy Rael had talked about. The white-haired one.

She walked closer, her boots clicking calmly against the stone.

"What exactly is going on here?" she asked, giving a soft, polite smile as if she were just a curious passerby.

Rulo didn't even turn. His eyes were locked on Kaizen's.

"Mind your God damn business," he growled, tone sharp and dismissive. "You weren't invited."

He didn't know who she was, didn't care. Right now, all he saw was a boy who wouldn't beg, wouldn't scream. Kaizen's silence was pissing him off.

"Maybe you really wanna die," Rulo snarled, his frustration bubbling over.

He opened his palm and a frost spear materialized on his hand....he pressed into Kaizen's neck, Kaizen felt a sharp sting, and then a thin line of blood trickled down his skin. Although he couldn't see it, he could feel the warmth against his skin.

But still, he didn't flinch, fuck this guy! Beg? He'd have to wait till they both became bald from the cold.

Alira blinked once.

Did that nobody just… shun her?

She stared blankly for a moment, processing it. Yeah he just did, he shunned her.

She lifted her bare hand and sliced the air once. A controlled blast of fire erupted from her palm, clean, fast, and brutal. It slammed into Rulo's side like a battering ram, lifting him clean off the ground.

He crashed hard into a nearby pillar. Stone cracked. His body bounced once before hitting the ground with a thud.

"What the hell—who the fuck—" he started to snarl as he sat up—

—but the words caught in his throat the moment he saw her.

The fire. The aura. The power flooding off her like an open furnace. He didn't know who she was, but he knew exactly what he was staring at.

She was A-rank. No question.

Alira stood tall, arms by her side, gaze fixed on him like he was a bug that pissed her off during a calm afternoon tea.

"Was I unclear when I asked what was going on?" she asked quietly, her face twisting in a frown.

The street was dead silent as everyone watched. Rulo swallowed hard. His confidence evaporated. He remained sitting on the floor, his face twisted in pain and confusion, that single hit was strong enough to leave him disabled for a while. He didn't get it. One second he was in control, and the next, he was on his ass, barely breathing right.

Alira stood calmly, not even looking at him anymore. Her eyes were on Kaizen now, but not with concern. She was analyzing him, quietly. His condition, the expression on his face, the blood trailing down his neck…

Her lips parted slightly as if to speak—then she paused, glancing around at the people watching from a distance. Too many eyes.

She stepped forward, toward Kaizen. Close enough to feel the cold leaking off the ice that bound him.

Kaizen stared at her, brows pulled. "Who… are you?" he asked slowly. He could also sense it, the mana pouring from her.

Alira didn't answer.

Instead, she turned to Rulo. Her tone dropped cold.

"Unfreeze him."

Rulo's jaw clenched. "Why the hell should I—"

"Now."

Rulo froze. A thin flame danced in her palm, just enough to remind him that she could burn through his lungs before he even thought of moving.

He gritted his teeth, raised a shaky hand, and snapped his fingers. The ice around Kaizen cracked… then shattered.

Kaizen dropped to one knee, breathing hard. His legs were still numb, and his whole body hurts.

Alira crouched just enough to meet his eyes.

"Stand up."

Kaizen hesitated. "Why?"

"Because," she said calmly, "I'm not done with you yet."

Then she stood again and turned.

"You're coming with me."

Kaizen blinked, confused. "What?"

Alira didn't repeat herself. She simply walked back to her carriage without looking back.

Kaizen was speechless for a moment, who exactly was she? She clearly seemed like noble. Why would a noble rescue him, talk less of inviting him to follow her.

"Want my guard to drag you over or are you coming?" She barked from inside the carriage as she looked out the window to find Kaizen still rooted in the same spot she had left him.

"Who is he to the princess?"

"Why would she save him?"

Kaizen's ear caught the word, princess...and for the first time since he stepped out of that damn portal, his face showed an expression...shock, disbelief...denial.

'The princess? No way, it can't be.'

"Bring him for me, his legs might have lost their function." Alira ordered.

"I can walk." Kaizen quickly replied, snapping out of his thoughts and rushing to her carriage... barefooted and a complete mess with all eyes on him.

Once he got to her, he stood beside her window, staring her straight in the eye.

"Come in." She said flatly.

He walked around to the door, the maid gave him a disgusted look but lifted the curtain for him to enter, she had no choice.

'yeah I understand you, I'm repulsed by me too.'

He stepped into the carriage, the scent cinnamon instantly invaded his nostrils, calm and soothing. He looked around, the carriage was spacious and had several feminine decor.

"Come sit here." Alira called, tapping to the space beside her.

"Not to be rude but can I ask, where are you taking me?"

"Your home, I'll drop you off at your house. I have a few questions to ask you along the way."