Hunter X Hunter: Tombbound Power

Baiya Palace was an opulent hotel chain that stretched across the world, much like the grand hotels of Meteor City or Heavens Arena. However, the Baiya Palace here in the imperial capital held a unique prestige—rumor had it that the royal family of the Mimbo Republic.

When Ronnel entered, his first thought was simple: Glorious.

This wasn't just any luxury venue—it was the embodiment of indulgence. Every detail, every decoration, seemed to hum with old money and aristocracy. Under the guidance of a waiter, Ronnel made his way to his seat.

Scanning the room, he noticed many people his age already gathered. Their smiles seemed forced, as though they were relieved that the worst was over.

Looks like that guy Kaelen left quite the impression on them last time, Ronnel thought with a smirk. As various guests tried to engage him in small talk, Ronnel gave them minimal attention. He wasn't here to make friends, least of all with Baker's crowd.

Then, the reason everyone was here finally made her entrance—the jewel of the Mimbo Republic: Princess Anna.

Her beauty was undeniable—a perfect blend of angelic grace and aristocratic poise. Yet...

She doesn't hold a candle to Shizuku...

Even compared to Kurapika's ethereal elegance, she fell short.

Ronnel studied the princess as she moved with the fluidity of a swan. The dazzling ice-blue gem on her chest—the famed Ice Pearl of the Eternal Night Galaxy—was easily the most captivating thing about her. Her figure was graceful, but in Ronnel's mind, her allure didn't measure up to the playful charm of Shizuku.

He drained his glass of fruit wine, finding himself more intrigued by the gem than the woman wearing it.

From a nearby seat, murmurs rippled through the room:

"One of the Seven Beauties of the World! The Ice Pearl of the Eternal Night Galaxy!"

"Wait... Didn't Princess Anna reject it last time? How could she be wearing it now?"

"She accepted it? No way!"

Ronnel perked up, listening to the excited chatter. It seemed the necklace had sparked quite a stir. From what he overheard, the Ice Pearl of the Eternal Night Galaxy was crafted from liquid titanium ore—one of the Seven Beauties of the World.

This rare gem was priceless, and only a handful of jewel hunters had ever laid eyes on it.

Apparently, Kaelen, the son of high standing from the V5, had tried to present the Ice Pearl to Princess Anna during a previous encounter. She had initially rejected him—hesitant, though visibly moved. Yet now, here she was, wearing the very same gem.

So, she finally gave in, huh?

Ronnel chuckled quietly to himself as he glanced around. A wave of despair washed over the faces of several young nobles in the room.

Looks like Kaelen won this round.

He pieced the situation together easily. According to what he had learned at the reception banquet, Kaelen had been courting Princess Anna for some time. The princess had initially invited a few prominent figures to challenge Kaelen's advances—hoping one of them would outshine him.

But it seems even Anna didn't expect the crowd to be this useless.

In the days that followed, it must have become clear that Kaelen wasn't just persistent—he was also the better option. And with the Mimbo Republic backing his success, Anna eventually accepted his gift.

The first step is always the hardest. Once the princess accepts one gesture, more will follow...

Ronnel watched the faint smile playing on Anna's lips as she glided through the room. With a subtle application of Nen, he scanned her thoughts, confirming what he suspected: Princess Anna's acceptance of Kaelen's gift was just the beginning. The Tarun Kingdom had made its choice.

Ronnel gave a small shrug. Not my problem.

He returned his attention to the gem on her chest. The Ice Pearl was mesmerizing, not just for its beauty but also for the story behind it.

The Seven Beauties of the World each represented a distinct color—red, gold, white, green, black, blue, and purple. Each beauty was unique in nature, ranging from rare crystals to living plants.

This blue gem, forged from liquid titanium ore, was especially rare. The only known instance of liquid titanium ore had been mined in ancient times. When exposed to cooler temperatures, the ore solidified, becoming highly unstable and prone to deterioration.

Only a single piece of the ore had been successfully preserved throughout history. Known for its translucent blue color and faint icy glow, it had become a legend in the world of gem hunters.

Many years ago, a queen used a fragment of the ore to create the Ice Pearl. No one knew exactly how many pearls were forged, but the rarity of the raw material meant that even one was priceless.

Bisky—had mentioned the Ice Pearl to Ronnel once. She had spotted one at an underground barter yard during a hunt for rare jewels. A veteran Stone Hunter had tried to trade it for something Bisky carried at the time—a Green Waterglass, another of the Seven Beauties of the World.

The Green Waterglass was a nearly extinct vine that thrived on dormant volcanic slopes. Due to its absorption of sulfur compounds, the plant lost its natural pigments, becoming translucent with a dark green sheen, almost like glass.

That's why it's called "green," Ronnel mused, recalling Bisky's words.

Even among Hunters, obtaining one of the Seven Beauties was considered a lifetime achievement—something akin to a Gourmet Hunter completing their "life menu." For Stone Hunter, the Ice Pearl was an ultimate goal, a treasure to pursue no matter the cost.

Ronnel exhaled softly, his gaze lingering on the Ice Pearl one last time.

Well, good luck to them, he thought, reclining in his seat.

The politics of the Mimbo Republic—and the drama surrounding Kaelen and Princess Anna—weren't Ronnel's concern. He was just here to observe, drink a little, and enjoy the spectacle.

After all, he had bigger things to worry about.

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