Chapter 168
The moment Odian stepped outside, he spotted the four males lingering uneasily by the door, their expressions tense, their bodies stiff with anticipation.
He didn’t waste a word.
“Follow me p>
His gaze swept over them—cold, unreadable—before he turned and strode away.
They hesitated only briefly, then hurried after him. The moment they reached the open clearing beside the stone houses, Odian struck.
No warning. No hesitation. A killing blow.
Sal and Kith moved in perfect sync behind him, their attacks swift and merciless.
Aviel and the others reacted instantly, raising their defenses.
“What are you doing, Odian p>
Aviel twisted aside, barely dodging a strike.
“What do you think?” Odian’s attacks were relentless, each one aimed to maim. “I’m teaching you a lesson on Nina’s behalf p>
“If Nina is angry, she should punish us herself,” Aviel shot back, blocking another blow. “Even as the first mate, you don’t have the right to act in her place p>
“Exactly,” Finch added, slipping past a strike. “If Nina wants to punish me, I’ll accept whatever she decides p>
“Oh?” Odian’s lips curved faintly.
He lifted his hand and the Ghostvine unfurled.
“Then let her punish you p>
The vine surged to life, swelling, twisting, splitting into four writhing tendrils.
Then, it lashed out.
The moment they saw it, Aviel and the others froze. Their pupils shrank. They didn’t dodge. Didn’t resist.
Because if it was the Ghostvine, then it was Nina’s will.
Smack p>
Crack p>
The sharp, brutal rhythm of whipping vines mixed with the dull thuds of fists striking flesh.
It went on—and on—and on.
By the time it ended, four barely recognizable figures lay sprawled on the ground.
Bruised. Broken. Motionless.
Odian let out a cold snort and turned, walking back toward the house without another glance. Only then did the others—who had been watching from a distance—dare to rush forward.
One look and they all inhaled sharply. “That’s… brutal p>
Carefully, they lifted the four battered males and carried them away.
In Aviel’s room, his assistants Izel and Eln struggled to tend to his wounds.
ELn held the medicine helplessly, staring at Aviel’s battered body.
There wasn’t a single place untouched.
“Your Majesty… are you alright?” Izel asked cautiously.
“Does it look like I am?” Aviel snapped, wincing. “This is all because of your terrible advice—telling me to say those things to Nina p>
“I… I didn’t expect Lady Nina to get angry Izel muttered weakly. “And… are you sure it was because of that p>
“Then what else could it be?” Aviel glared.
Izel shrank back, unable to answer.
“I think… it really was those words,” Eln said slowly. “We just… haven’t figured out exactly which part upset her p>
Aviel frowned deeply.
Which part p>
He replayed everything he had said—again and again—but still couldn’t pinpoint it.
In Finch’s room, Taru was sprinkling medicine over his wounds. Looking at the countless injuries, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Odian had shown no mercy.
“Finch,” Taru said thoughtfully, “what was Kith’s attitude toward the Princess before p>
“About the same as mine,” Finch replied. “I was confused too—why he suddenly spoke up for her p>
“Do you know where Nina comes from?” Taru asked.
Finch shook his head. “She never said p>
Taru’s eyes darkened slightly. “I suspect… Nina might be from Spirit Stone City. And she may have some connection to the Princess p>
Finch’s pupils trembled. “What do you mean p>
“She likely knows her. Perhaps they’re even close.” Taru exhaled. “Nina isn’t the type to anger easily. If she reacted like that… it’s probably because you were speaking ill of someone she cares about p>
Finch fell silent. Then asked quietly, What should I do p>
“Apologize properly,” Taru said. “And ask for her forgiveness p>
Damn it… Kith knew—and didn’t say anything.
In Yanai’s room, Aron sat by the bed, watching his son with clear disdain.
“Fix your face already,” he said bluntly. “You look awful. How are you going to face Nina like this p>
“I am fixing it,” Yanai muttered, focusing on healing. “Nina’s Ghostvine is no joke p>
“Where did you meet her?” Aron asked.
“In the Pine Stone Tribe, in the wilderness p>
“Is she from there p>
“No. She arrived later. When I met her, she hadn’t been there long p>
“Did she ever say where she came from? Her family p>
Yanai shook his head. “No. But… she had mates before p>
His gaze darkened. “They abandoned her p>
Aron froze. “Abandoned her?! What kind of idiot would abandon someone like Nina p>
Yanai’s lips curled coldly. “She never said who they were. Probably males from her old tribe p>
“Idiots,” Aron scoffed. “They’ll regret it for the rest of their lives p>
Yanai said nothing more, focusing on healing.
In Lex’s room, Lex glared at Dian.
“Why did you bring up the broken engagement? Now Nina dislikes me too p>
Dian rubbed his nose awkwardly. “I just… remembered it and said it without thinking p>
Lex snorted.
As if I’d believe that.
“Help me more,” Lex pressed. “What about Mimi? Do you want her to grow up among the phoenixes p>
That struck a nerve.
Dian’s expression hardened.
Mimi could not grow up among those damned birds.
“Apply more ice balm,” Lex added, lifting his chin. “Especially on my face p>
Dian sighed but complied, carefully tending to his injuries.
Meanwhile, to the west of the Half-Mountain Tribe… a group of beastmen fled in panic, chased by a swarm of mutated beasts.
“Ah! Father, save me p>
Lina stumbled forward, her body battered, blood staining her skin.
Drago appeared beside her in an instant, striking down the beasts closing in.
His brows were tightly drawn. He pulled out a crimson spirit stone and let his blood drip onto it.
The stone blazed with brilliant light. Power surged through him. With overwhelming force, he slaughtered the remaining beasts.
At last, silence fell.
Lina exhaled shakily. “They’re… finally dead p>
But Drago’s body trembled. He had drawn too deeply on that power.
He stared at the stone in his hand.
If only… I could make these spirit stones fully acknowledge me p>
Then I could wield their power freely… without consequences.
“City Lord,” a flying beastman reported, landing nearby. “There’s a tribe ahead p>
“Father Lina said softly, her voice trembling, “I’m injured. Can we rest there for a few days p>
Drago glanced at her, then nodded.
And so, they turned toward the tribe.
Unknowingly, they were heading straight toward Nina.