The Monster King's Legacy-Chapter 204: Unforeseen Development

Life continued as normal after Kaelthara's visit, this particular afternoon, an uncommon event of these days was about to take place, as Lance stood across from Rynne, a wooden training sword in hand. Rynne, clad in her light battle gear, smirked at him, twirling her own spear casually.

"Ready to lose again, Lance?" she teased, her tone playful but confident.

Lance smirked in return as h heard her. "It's been a while since you've gotten the better of me, Rynne. You sure you want to keep that streak going?"

Rynne laughed, the sound light and almost melodic despite her usual warrior-like demeanor. "Today is the day I remind you who trained you in the first place."

.

.

.

Eventually, Rynne dropped her spear and raised her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. You win."

"Of course, what else could be said of your current situation?" Lance said with a chuckle as he watched her lying on the ground facing the sky, certainly involuntarily.

"Fine, perhaps, today is not the day I remind you of who trained you in the beginning." She said, spreading herself on the grass beneath, after all, they were not in the training grounds, but a more secluded area within the surviving forests within the city towards the walls.

Lance grinned, lowering his stance. "We can call it a draw if that helps."

"Oh, shut up," Rynne muttered.

Before either of them could catch their breath, a familiar figure dropped down from the trees, landing gracefully beside them. Zarra's sharp golden eyes glinted with mischief as she flipped her single braid over her shoulder. Though most of hair was maintained short, she also maintained a single braid that ran down her spine.

"I can't you didn't invite me?" she asked, crossing her arms.

Rynne smirked knowingly. "I didn't think you'd want to embarrass yourself, Zarra."

Zarra raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Bold words for someone who got her butt handed to her."

Lance laughed as Zarra picked up one of the discarded wooden swords. "Alright, let's see what you've got."

"You don't even use swords, Zarra." Lance said as he stood up and raised his own weapon.

"It doesn't matter when you're good."

.

.

.

Of course, she too lost against Lance.

Both of them teamed up against him, and then lost even harder. There was no shame in their loss, though, there was little to no hope for winning to begin with.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, the trio made their way to a secluded lake deep within the forest. The area was seldom visited by anyone, and even then, it was under Rikka's watch, so even if anyone came, it would be her. If that was the case, there was little shame in being caught.

Rynne stretched, her toned muscles glistening in the soft glow of the moonlight now as night had fallen. "We've lost in physical combat, now, Zarra, we can't lose here too," she said, stepping into the cool water.

Zarra followed behind with a telling shine in her eyes. "I won't argue with that."

Lance had entered first, the chill of the lake a welcome relief after the day's exertions. The three of them relaxed, letting the water wash away their fatigue as they rested and prepared for a second combat.

The atmosphere soon shifted as Rynne grew bolder, her fingers brushing all over Lance's member.

Zarra smirked, moving behind Lance. "We won't lose today," she said, her voice low as she nimbled on his neck.

"Oh? We'll see about that." Lance said, raising Rynne and bringing her closer, while still sparing a hand to play with Zarra.

For half the night, they indulged in each other, the secluded lake bearing witness to their passion. By the end of it all, in terms of battle, Lance had emerged victorious, proving why he was indeed, an alpha male.

Only by healing Rynne and Zarra did they find the strength to finish up before they had to leave.

The forest was quiet, the sounds of nature a gentle backdrop as Lance helped Rynne dry her hair, his hands surprisingly tender for a man known as an unfathomable warrior and strategist, these days, more of the former.

"You don't have to do that," Rynne muttered, though her voice lacked its usual sharpness.

"I want to," Lance replied simply.

Rynne's cheeks flushed as she glanced away, her usual confidence faltering. "You're too soft sometimes."

"And you're not soft enough," Lance teased, drawing her into his arms without warning.

"Lance!" she protested, though she made no real effort to stop him.

Zarra, walking beside them, rolled her eyes but smiled. "You two are ridiculous."

As they made their way back to the palace, the three shared a quiet, peaceful moment. Lance carried Rynne with care, treating her not as the hardened warrior she prided herself on being but as the woman she rarely allowed herself to be. Though Zarra very much wanted to be in Rynne spot, she held off.

Despite appearances, there wasn't a week that went by without them being together, though, the order wasn't fixed, and not mandatorily always. Regardless, the rest of the night went by peacefully, and while Rynne rested in her quarters, Zarra still had energy for more.

…

While those in the monster kingdom slept and woke up with little problems, elsewhere, the people were about to learn of a new trouble.

Around the dwarven lands, the horizon seemed calm, the waves of the ocean rolling gently under a pale morning sky. To the dwarves of Garnath Hold, a fortified castle perched on the cliffs overlooking the ocean, the sight was ordinary, a normal, peaceful day in their rather stale castle lands.

Just then, standing without expectation, the guard squinted his eyes, observing the far distance where the waters churned violently. The dwarven sentries stationed in the watchtowers squinted into the glare of the rising sun this time. One of them, a grizzled veteran named Borik, frowned as he adjusted his scope.

"Something's moving out there," he muttered, his voice low and wary.

From the horizon, an unnatural dark spot began to grow. The object appeared little, but soon grew massive as an ominous black shape passed over the waters. As it neared, the dwarves' eyes widened in disbelief.

A flying warship broke through the mist, an immense, ghost-like monstrosity hovering above the waters. Its dark exterior gleamed faintly with runes of unknown origin, and its silhouette, though mechanical, carried an eerie presence.

"What da heck is that ting?"