Valerian, The Legendary

Her calm voice made the people shiver, one of the people forcefully calmed his fear and said, “Can we not even look at her to check whether she is fine or not? Why are you intimidating us? Who do you think you are?”

Priscilla revealed a charming smile and the next moment she appeared behind Garron, who was speaking just now. She dug her fingers under his ribs and held them. The result was a scream that made everyone shiver. Priscilla did not invade the flesh, she just held the ribs with flesh. She did not exceed the hold for more than a few seconds but it was enough to immobilize the guy and leave him covered with his tears, snot, and mud.

She said, “My name is Priscilla, combat maid serving the fourth prince of the Lumen Empire, Valerian Verus. I think that is enough status for me to interfere with you and your so-called careful actions?”

The first half of her question was something the people did not expect and were wrapping their heads around it, and the second half of the sentence made them ashamed. Valerian ignored all this and asked Clove again, “I can assure you, no harm will come to you or your family. Tell me everything truthfully.”

Clove saw how Priscilla dealt with the people in the group and said, “We were wandering around the forest when Sir Vasques cast an earth spell so that we can have some walls. Then suddenly, a lot of crimson ants began to come out of the cracks in the wall and they charged at us. We all panicked as they did not stop even when attack and ran away.

The group split up and we ran but soon I became tired and asked Sir Vasques for help he said that I can take a turn and this swarm will leave me, this way they will draw them away. But those ants, they did not move away and came at me.”

Valerian understood in an instant, they planned for her to play bait as she was the slowest and was at the end of the group. He raised his head and looked at the three people who were standing. He asked, “Two of you are mages, right?”

Munya and Vasques nodded, and Valerian said, “Grade two?”

.....

The two people exchanged a glance and then nodded. Valerian said, “I see, must be very talented. How old are you guys?”

Vasques thought this guy was impressed by them and said, “Eighteen. Munya is Sixteen.”

The silver-haired boy nodded one more time before he said, “Despite being so strong, you could not help a little girl, what use is your talent then?”

His tone was getting lower and lower, he hated when those in power monopolized those in the lower position. He had suffered enough torment because of this. The people heard his voice and were scared however, they were still defiant and Priscilla said, “Oh, just so you ignorant people know, you are standing in the presence of his highness, the fourth prince of the Lumen Empire, Valerian Verus.”

The thoughts of defiance were strangled completely after this announcement. Grace still had doubts about how Valerian, the jinx of the town became a prince, and that too of an empire they were citizens to. Her doubts were mouthed by Munya, she asked in a gentle tone, “Miss, what proof do you have to state that you both are what you claimed to be?”

Priscilla chuckled and said, “Oh, you are vigilant enough. Here, inspect this.”

She fished out a token from her pocket and tossed it to Munya, she did not wish to interact with these people or to save them from what was about to come, but she still entertained them as she knew Valerian very well. These people will suffer regardless but she wanted them to suffer in despair. The helplessness people feel when they know about the suffering but were unable to do anything about it was too painful.

Munya held the token and looked at Priscilla in confusion, who said with disdain, “Channel your mana through the token.”

The girl followed her instructions and the token emitted a gentle glow, suddenly a ray of light erupted from the token, and a pillar of light reaching the skies appeared in front of them. The people were startled, and a strange fear gripped their hearts, when Priscilla said, “This beacon of light signifies that a person from the royal family is calling over for the higher-ups of the region. They have fifteen minutes to respond with a similar beacon and start moving, or they will lose their positions. So, wait for fifteen minutes, and let us see what happens.”

The group of people nodded as they did not have any other method. They did not have the guts to ask Valerian to come along with them through the forest and escort them to the town where the higher-ups will be able to verify his identity easily.

They were scared, one factor was the strength of these two, while the other factor was their potential status. If they were really what they claimed, then things might turn south for real. Valerian did not seem to be a person that would give them a safe passage.

Time passed quickly but the atmosphere became tense as time passed, just as fifteen minutes passed, the group heard voices coming from the bushes.

“Do you see it old man?”, asked a rugged voice.

“Yes, over there. Be quick.”, a wisened voice sounded. Grace and the rest were shocked as they recognized the person, it was the mayor of the town. This person who might not even turn if the sky was to fall over them showed up here. It became obvious to them, that what Priscilla said just now was the truth.

The people on the other side were quick and in a blink, they arrived in front of the group, the old man looked at the group of teenagers with surprised reactions, and then he cast a gaze at the three people sitting near a small mound of flesh. The old man walked over and bowed to the lady and asked, “I am Calor, the mayor of the town nearby, may I ask who might you be.”

He did this because of the indifference displayed by Valerian, Priscilla, and Clove, who did not even know about the old man being the mayor of the town she lived in. Another reason was the fact that Priscilla’s outfit had an obvious crest of the empire engraved on it. Only the staff of the imperial palace could wear such dress.

Priscilla nodded to the old man and said, “This is the fourth prince, His Highness Valerian Verus and I am his combat maid, Priscilla.”

The old man was shocked but he retained his composure, the talks of a young and talented child being adopted in the royal household had been circulating lately and it was also said that the royal family, especially, the Empress was really fond of this child. His achievements were also vividly circulated throughout the empire.

Fragrantia had arranged all this so that her child does not suffer any trouble when he goes out. She did not think of him as her nephew anymore, Valerian was as dear to her as Ignis, Vertex, or Azula. Calor nodded and bowed to Valerian as he said, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Valerian nodded and said, “I wonder if you recognize these people?”

Calor looked at the group and said, “I do have some impression of these few. Did they offend you<, Your Highness?"

He shook his head and then looked at Priscilla and said, “Take Mathiyus with you and collect those four as well. They need to be judged together.”

Priscilla nodded and turned to look at Calor and said in a low voice, “His Highness is a grade six battlemage, you better not belittle him or you will suffer. Be mindful of his status and your dignity.”

Calor nodded and said, “Rest assured Lady Priscilla, I will serve his highness well.”

Priscilla left with Mathiyus, who was more than happy to move away from a white fur ball resting atop Valerian’s head. Fortuna was his bane, her presence was enough to make his soul restless.

After the two left Valerian said, “It seems to me that Mayor Calor has no interest in cleaning and maintaining the order and standard of people in the town. No wonder it has been filled with so many scumbags.”

Calor was startled by such a harsh remark and wanted to ask something when Valerian asked, “Since you cannot even deal with a handful of scumbags, are you not worse than scum, Mayor Calor?”

The old man froze stiff from this remark, his mind was still echoing with the warning given by Priscilla, and this scolding tone of the prince confirmed his suspicion, something bad has happened here.