Chapter 108: Crowns shadow (2) (1/2)

The feral grin that formed on Sol slipped, the moment the feeling of hostility vanished, as fast as it appeared. Looking at Milia's calm expression, it seemed that she hadn't felt it; otherwise, with her personality, there was no way she would let it pass.

This could only mean one thing.

The one or ones who sent this feeling of hostility were incredibly skilled. The only reason he managed to feel it should be because of his heightened senses.

'Is it a traitor? Someone jealous?'

It was only speculation at this moment. He needed to speak about it with Milia later.

”Your highness? Is something the matter?”

”No, it's nothing.”

Dismissing her with a wave of his hand, Sol began to focus on the numerous people standing in front of him. At first view, three clear rows were formed.

The first one consisted of four people, two women, and two men. He could easily recognize Ketia in the group. This most likely meant that the other three were also part of the Fingers.

The second row consisted of 20 or so people. Finally, the last row was easily in the fifty or more.

Seeing that nothing was wrong, Milia smiled before she walked next to the four Fingers and kneeled in front of him.

”Welcome, your highness.” Her voice was calm, but if one paid attention, they would feel a slight trembling of excitement.

The moment she kneeled, all the others followed suit and repeated after her.

”Welcome your highness.”

Their voices were low but united. It was different from the hot-blooded feeling the soldiers of Highland gave him. Those people in front of him weren't soldiers, but hardened spies and assassins.

Looking at them all kneeling in front of him, Sol felt no sense of elation. It was confusing at first because he was sure that his pride should have boiled in happiness at such a sight. But it didn't take long for him to understand.

Aside from Milia, those people weren't bowing to him, but to the crown. It didn't matter who stood in front of them.

'I am really greedy.'

Why should they be loyal to him? It wasn't like he had done anything for them. Thinking so, he sighed and released the full brunt of his aura.

Immediately, the atmosphere in the room changed. If before, some of them had just kneeled for the form, now they were seriously doing so as they felt the grand aura that seemed ready to crush them at any moment.

”I will not make any grand discourse, nor will I ask much of you. All I want is your loyalty.”

Sol did not bother threatening them. Those people were assassins trained to be ready for death and devoid of any family. There was nothing to threaten them with. He just needed to show them that he wasn't someone to be trifled with.

”Are we clear?”

”Yes!”

”Then, aside from the Fingers, all of you are dismissed.”

The second and third-row immediately vanished at his words. This brought him some comfort.

'Well, at least, even though they aren't loyal to me, their loyalty to the crown is clear.'

Thinking so, he focused his attention on the five people, who, from start to finish, didn't even blink nor change their breathing despite his pressure and with a smile, he gently talked to them,

”Well, I guess it's time for some presentations, don't you think?”

----

The stronghold of the crown's shadow itself wasn't particularly large. Though, this was only relatively speaking. In reality, the stronghold was an underground fortress whose branches stretched from the center of the capital to all the four zones. This was most likely why five Fingers existed in the first place.

After leaving the place where he was initially transported with Milia, he was directed to a large room reminiscing of a reunion room.

”After you, your highness.”

Sol didn't act in a reserved way and entered the room before taking place at the head of the long rectangular table that had only five chairs.

The other four waited for Sol to indicate them to sit before taking place. In the end, the only one left standing was Milia, who finally stood behind him.

”Your highness, if you may, let's have the honor to introduce everyone.”

”Go on.”

”Then, your highness, you may have already guessed, but the five of us are the leaders of the crown's shadow.”