A Hero With/Out Time

Chapter 23: My Fate (Part 3)

"Of course, lead the way," I gestured for him to move and we kept a steady pace behind him. Pina and our carriage were allowed to disembark as well but were taken elsewhere.

Everyone we passed bowed at the sight of us. Many of them were the Palace staff but a few looked to be high ranking nobles. As we entered the interior I was once more blown away by the elegance displayed. Fine art almost everywhere you looked to the point it was being shoved down your throat. The Kingdom's Palace had quite a few pieces as well but this was overkill for sure. Taylor however practically ignored it all and kept her eyes forward while Earnest occasionally gazed at one in mild interest.

"Ah minister Palor," an infuriatingly smooth voice called out towards us. My body suddenly tensed up at the mere sound and I had to stop my mana from reacting on impulse. The source was a tall man in what looked like his late thirties, though he could have been older. His features were handsome and his body strong. Even covered in armour you could tell his physique was well built. The problem was the seething hate I was feeling by just having him in my gaze.

"General Elroy," the minister bowed to him. "I am just taking the Hero's companions to the waiting room."

"Oh?" his eyes fell to us and the knights cleared a path. "I am Elroy, General of the Empire and part of the Council."

"Rain," I replied straining mentally to be normal. Kill him! A dark voice screamed inside my head. The worse part was that it felt incredibly convincing. As if there was a reason to do so, as if my entire being was hell bent on his destruction. I needed to know what this was, "Have we met somewhere before?"

He looked at me curiously, "I do not believe so. Though I did spend some time in the Demon lands while I was younger, I'd doubt you'd have been born then."

I nodded. It was taking far more than I wanted to admit to stop myself drawing my sword and gutting him.

"Why if it isn't our famous thief Empress," his eyes met Taylor's in recognition. "It's been some time. To think you were helping the Hero."

"I'm not the Empire's. I go and do what I want," Taylor answered coolly. "Helping the Hero was a worthy cause."

He laughed, "So even someone like you can turn a new leaf."

Okay now I really wanted to kill him. I knew he was joking but that tone he took with Taylor was the last straw. Earnest stepped in front of me with his hand pointed towards the General, "I am Earnest."

"The Master swordsman correct? I do hope we'll have time for a bout," Elroy shook his hand. "Perhaps we will talk later. For now I must be off."

Minister Palor turned to him, "Is everything going well?"

"Perfectly," the General smiled. "Tonight's ball will be beautiful." He left just as quickly as he came. The tension in my body receded. I had never felt that kind of hate before, not even against the Demon Lord or the Monster of the border forest. Heck even when I wanted to kill Ronalt it paled in comparison.

We were guided further into the Palace and into a large well-furnished room. An assortment of food was laid out on table and a large window opened up to a veranda overlooking the city. More importantly however Lara and the others weren't there.

"Please wait here," Minister Palor bowed. "I shall ask for the Hero and the rest of your companions to meet you soon. If there is anything you need simply ask one of the maids or butlers outside."