Chapter 104: Gatecrashers
Leon smoothly pinned the fabric securely in place and slowly pulled his hands away offering the flustered noblewoman a devastating confident smirk before turning toward the heavy wooden doors.
"Rest well Lady Seraphina," Leon instructed softly his voice carrying a dark promising weight. "Tomorrow night we are going to show the entire capital exactly why they should fear us."
The evening of the royal banquet arrived painting the massive sprawling capital in vibrant shades of twilight while thousands of glowing magical lanterns illuminated the wide cobblestone avenues leading toward the imperial palace.
Leon stood in the restored courtyard of the Sterling manor wearing a pristine dark tailored suit that perfectly highlighted his broad heavily muscular physique and carried an undeniable aura of dangerous royal dominance.
He had spent the afternoon forcing the remaining estate staff to polish his colossal star iron greatsword until the dark metal gleamed fiercely under the moonlight.
The heavy front doors opened slowly revealing Seraphina stepping gracefully out into the cool night air wearing the meticulously crafted dark silk gown that clung perfectly to her athletic curves.
Her long silver hair was braided elegantly with small glowing crystals and her violet eyes carried a sharp lethal confidence that demanded absolute respect from anyone who dared look her way.
"You clean up remarkably well warden," Seraphina noted smoothly walking down the marble steps while casting a highly appreciative glance over his rugged handsome features.
"We aim to please Lady Seraphina," Leon replied offering a polite respectful bow that completely masked his dark predatory intentions before leading her toward the wrought iron gates where their hired carriage waited.
They rode smoothly through the bustling merchant districts enjoying a rare moment of peaceful silence before the heavy wooden vehicle suddenly ground to a violent halt throwing them slightly forward against the leather seats.
Leon immediately activated his Vibration Sense detecting a massive blockage heavily disrupting the traffic flow on the main avenue leading directly toward the palace gates.
He pushed the carriage door open and stepped out onto the cobblestones finding a colossal gilded carriage parked horizontally across the street intentionally blocking the path of several minor noble families.
The massive golden vehicle bore the vibrant green crest of House Vane and was surrounded by a dozen heavily armed emerald knights who were arrogantly sneering at the frustrated travelers.
"The road is closed by order of Lord Vane," a tall arrogant captain shouted waving his glowing halberd at the crowd. "All minor houses must pay a secondary toll to bypass this checkpoint or find another route to the palace."
Seraphina stepped out of their carriage her violet eyes blazing with pure unadulterated outrage as she gripped the hilt of her steel broadsword ready to carve a bloody path through her political rivals.
"Allow me to handle the traffic dispute," Leon requested smoothly placing a gentle calming hand over her delicate fingers before stepping confidently toward the massive gilded blockade.
He walked directly up to the arrogant emerald captain projecting his heavy Diplomatic Immunity aura causing the lesser knights to subconsciously step backward in deep confusing fear.
"Move this gaudy piece of scrap metal out of our way immediately," Leon commanded his deep resonant voice echoing heavily over the quiet street.
The captain scoffed loudly trying to mask his sudden terror behind false bravado.
"Are you deaf servant? This carriage weighs four tons and it stays right here until you pay the toll."
Leon did not waste time engaging in a pointless bureaucratic argument. He stepped past the terrified captain and placed his large heavily scarred hands directly underneath the thick golden undercarriage of the massive vehicle.
He activated his Endless Vigor and tapped deeply into his monstrous two hundred and thirty points of Strength channeling a massive surge of raw kinetic mana into his muscular arms.
With a single explosive violent grunt Leon effortlessly lifted the four ton gilded carriage completely off the cobblestone street holding it suspended in the air as if it weighed no more than a child’s wooden toy.
The surrounding emerald knights shrieked in sheer horrifying disbelief dropping their glowing weapons as they stared at the magicless brute displaying impossible godlike physical power.
Leon took two heavy steps forward and casually tossed the colossal carriage off the side of the raised avenue sending it crashing heavily down into a muddy drainage ditch with a loud satisfying crunch of shattering gold and splintering wood.
"The road is clear Lady Seraphina," Leon announced smoothly dusting off his pristine dark suit and offering her a highly charming wicked smirk.
The minor noble families waiting in the street erupted into chaotic stunned whispers quickly parting their own carriages to clear a massive respectful path for the terrifying warden and his beautiful silver haired mistress.
They arrived at the towering gates of the imperial palace a few minutes later stepping onto the glowing marble courtyard where hundreds of elite Imperial Executioners stood perfectly still radiating dark lethal energy.
The main entrance was guarded by a heavily armored imperial registrar who sat behind a large wooden desk strictly checking the glowing invitations of the arriving guests.
Seraphina confidently presented her heavy golden envelope expecting to walk smoothly into the grand ballroom but the haughty official simply sneered and slammed his hand down on the parchment.
"Lady Seraphina is welcome to enter," the registrar stated coldly pointing a thick finger directly at Leon’s broad chest. "But your proxy fighter must remain outside. We require a registered noble lineage for all participants in the martial exhibition and this man possesses no magical signature or formal house crest."
Leon narrowed his dark magnetic eyes realizing the bureaucratic wall was still actively trying to suffocate their political progress.
He stepped forward placing both hands heavily onto the registrar’s wooden desk and leaned his handsome face dangerously close to the terrified official.
"My name is Leon," he whispered chillingly projecting a dense wave of raw kinetic power that violently cracked the sturdy desk right down the middle. "And I am registering right now."