Humanity's Hero Of Despair

The Emperor decides it's better if we go to the private lounge.

He says it's safer to use than a simple private room which only has the baseline level of magic barriers. We all walk behind the Emperor through the halls of the Imperial Palace as he talks to King Grey. Both of them standing next to each other makes them look so regal. So powerful.

We eventually arrive at the staircase leading up to the private office and private lounge. The marble stairs absorb our footsteps as we climb up them one by one. There is a window between the top and bottom of the staircase which I never saw before.

I pause and take a look outside as the sun still remains high in the sky. A partial view of the Imperial Garden can be seen from here as well. Ivy brings me to my senses before I stand there for too long.

We bound up the steps as we catch up to the Emperor and King Grey.

Once we are all at the top of the staircase, the Emperor leads us to the private lounge. He takes out his wand and does his fancy wand movements. The door unlocks after a bit and it swings open on its own. We all walk inside. This time the fireplace is turned off since it is so warm outside already.

We all take our spots on various chairs and couches around the table near the hearth.

The Emperor and King Grey take their places in the huge luxurious chairs sitting next to each other. As soon as we are all seated, we get straight to business. The Emperor starts off by telling us that Grand Duke Pedgas is most likely making moves to gather an army and attack us possibly.

He also mentions that the President of Ryndoria is most likely doing the same.

Though if the assassins get to him first, we may not have to worry about that. We will still have to worry about the Vice President. Even though he is unlikely to make a contract with the dragons, there is a chance he will create other conflicts. They quickly discuss back and forth what precautions they will take against these forces and any backup plans.

"I hope the assassins from earlier make good on their deal and take out the President of Ryndoria."

The Emperor says as he grits his teeth. We all nod to each other. If the assassins manage to kill the President, it would make life a lot easier. It would be a dream, but perhaps maybe they would throw in the Vice President as a bonus. If both of them fell, the head of the Veltherian Assembly would be in charge, and from our intel, he is a good man.

The Emperor then tells King Grey that they have the Elemental Sphere of Earth.

This fact, rightfully so, shocks him. We forgot to mention that we had it with us earlier. The Emperor gestures for me to show my earth sphere necklace. I take it off from my neck and hand it over to the Emperor, who then hands it to King Grey.

"We have the sphere thankfully in a protective necklace form now. We originally found the Elemental Sphere of Earth in possession of Grand Duke Pedgas, who betrayed me for his own ideals of a perfect government. He thought he could use the power of the Elemental Sphere against all of us. I have Nico and his friends here, as well as everyone else, to thank for it."

The Emperor says with a tone of appreciation. He continues on speaking about the sphere.

"We all went to the Imperial Training Grounds and tested the magic of the sphere for ourselves. It made all of our magic at least ten times more powerful and allowed us to cast advanced spells with ease. Estes here, who is also an earth mage, used the sphere with amazing grace. Nico, who used his origin magic, did a good job as well."

Estes and I both thank the Emperor, who says there is no need to thank him.

"Anyways, we have the Elemental Sphere of Earth in necklace form now, which I have rotating among Nico and his friends. I trust them to protect it," the Emperor says to King Grey confidently.

"As do I."

King Grey says to the Emperor.

"That is good. I am very glad we agree on that, your highness," the Emperor says.

Quillen speaks up as he notices something about King Grey.

"Your highness, respectfully, why do you seem so tense?"

I shoot Quillen a look. King Grey, though, just seems to sigh and laugh nervously for a moment. Apparently, Quillen is spot on. King Grey mentions that there is something very important he has to tell all of us. We all wait in anticipation. What could make our King so nervous?

King Grey reaches into his robes and pulls out a smooth dark wooden box. We all look at it curiously.

"How safe is the room against mana absorption?"

King Grey asks while looking around the room while keeping his hands on the box. The Emperor looks at him curiously and says that it can handle a lot of absorption. He even says multiple spheres should be able to be handled by the room's protective magic.

Our King double-checks with the Emperor and the Emperor says it's okay.

This just makes all of us more curious.

"If you say so, your Imperial Highness, I hope you are right. I trust you."

King Grey says to all of us as he opens the box.

The light is so blinding we all have to cover our eyes for several seconds. As the brightness fades slightly, we all stare in shock. Inside the box lay several different spheres, each glowing with their respective color. A light blue sphere which creates frost anytime you get too close to it.

A red sphere which feels hot if you get within a few inches of it. A sphere made out of pitch darkness which seems to consume everything in its path, etc.

King Grey has brought all the spheres of Tarondar with him.