Triple X System

”What the hell is going on.” A light gasp escaped Lucia’s pale face watching the scene unfolding.

With the kingdom on attack, and the king defending the beasts with his life. It was only right to protect it’s citizens, upholding the oath he swore as a space guard.

Which he was attending to, until the sudden uprising form the self proclaimed righteous one’s.

’They can fantasize all they want if that’s what keeps their mind from all this mess.’ He thought shrugging their invalid opinions as fantasies of mere grand delusions.

To distract their mind from the loss of lives and the dargon’s invasion currently ongoing. But to his surprise, the small chants and murmurs of dissatisfaction of complaint had risen.

Materializing into a full grown cult, comprised of deranged individuals led by a sadistic old hag.

”Damnit! What the hell are you doing Katie!?” Lucia’s yelled, with veins bulging at the side of his neck.

Glaring in his direction, she had an innocent look etched to her face. Holding the piece of glass with a confused expression.

”I-i’m not sure~ could it be I was brainwashed?” She panicked, planting her hands to her face. Filled with dread and fear of her own actions, oblivious to her consent.

Pausing a moment, Lucia’s stared at the old woman in disbelief. He tried remind himself she was lying, but something in her eyes said otherwise. Like a spell or some sort of mind control skill had been lifted up on her.

”What the hell?” Bartholin muttered in a barely audible tone.

Just like Liam and the rest, he was part of the great cause of a better world. Free from the jurisdiction of one powerful individual, overseeing the affairs and welfare over a particular set of individuals.

Instead, operating with an open power system. Where everyone had equal rights, and were treated accordingly. Irrespective of the status of power level, united as one.

”Could it be she was brainwashed by the beast and forced to cause an internal conflict within us. To further divide us from our disbeliefs?” He thought with a light frown.

Lucia’s was well aware the dargon’s were without abilities, relying solely on brute strength. But there were more than one ways to brainwash someone. Especially if such individual wasn’t strongly fortified in the mind.

Katie a perfect example, now in old age without an ability. She was bound to succumb to the beasts mind trucks, faster than someone with an ability. Possessing a higher mental solitude than normal people.

’But how could they get to only her? Could she have been targeted previously, and the main question. What’s her connection with the beasts?’

Many thoughts ran through Lucia’s mind, about the possibilities of the dargon’s somehow capturing Katie beforehand. Tapping into her mind, planting a command like a virus to control her.

’But that would mean they’d launched a stealth ship to silently infiltrate the kingdom beforehand. Which doesn’t sit right, as they weren’t detected even by miss reze.’ He’d guessed the dargon’s couldn’t possibly infiltrate the kingdom during the hunger games competition. So it must’ve been during Lynn’s attack, and the destruction of almost half of the castle.

But still, there were several other defenses. Like cloaking barrier and the high frequency energy detecting devices. Planted underground throughout the entire Kingdom.

The main purpose to detect the entrance of foreign energy.

”Mhmm~ He’s more gullible than I expected for a space guard.” A soft giggle escaped the old woman’s lips. Seductively licking her lips, making the injured girl pupils shrink more.

”Don’t be scared, you’re too beautiful to be accepted as part of the great liberation.” Katie chuckled, her expression taking a dark turn for the worse.

”Think of your death as a stepping stone, for the cause of the greater good.” She wildly grinned, raising the glass up about to strike.

’Swoosh!’

An object cut through the crowds of nobles fast, shifting them off balance twirling a bit. Making it’s way to the gate, not stopping and taking a big leap. Landing on the other end, using the momentum to lift the girl in her arms.

Away from danger, just before Katie brought the glass down.

”Are you okay?” Layla softly asked, earning a sharp nod from beijo. The girl with autumn hair, still trembling from that near death experience.

”Huh? What’s this now, a defiant soldier has stepped up to oppose the law of the great liberation.” Katie slightly giggled, with a sadistic smile. Flashing a cold glare at Layla, filled with murderous intent.

”Just how despicable and shameless are you old hag? Not only did you manage to pull in fellow lunatics like you into your delusions of grand chauffeur. But you also attacked an innocent defenseless civilian, just like you in broad daylight.” Layla scowled, her brows contorting into a deep frown. Laced with anger and a mix of undying grudge.

”Well, let’s see..” The old woman uttered, placing the tip of the glass to her chin. ”I guess I really am shameless afterall!” She concluded, with a sick smile. Repulsing Layla more.

”You’re wrong about me young guard, she’s not like me. None of you dirty bastards are like any of us!” She yelled in a fit of fury and rage, tightly gripping the glass.

”For years we’ve had to scrape off crumbs, working our asses off everyday. No matter if we live our due, all to be treated as slaves and peasant in the your sight. The noble royals and the rich and influential.” Katie spoke, the crowd behind her reacting with a loud roar of acceptance.

”How many years, no centuries does this have to continue. The strong taking from the poor, over and over again. History repeating itself!” She questioned, a thick vein bulging on her forehead. Locking eye contact with Layla, standing there with a conflicted look.

The latter couldn’t deny what the old woman professed was right. And while she hated the system too, there was nothing she could do. Those were just how the rules had worked, upholding balance in the chain of life.

”I understand your intentions, but think about your actions carefully. Siding with a beast that’ll possibly turn it’s back on you the first chance it gets is suicide!” Layla replied, her tone a bit high pitched from how emotional she was.

”Things are messed up and yes, the system is cruel. But, as long as there’s life, there’s hope for a better tomorrow. You can’t turn your back on your own kind, and form allegiance with those things killing your own kind!” Layla yelled, the room falling silent.

’Boom! Boom!’

Only the sounds of the explosion going off in the surface could be heard. Rattling the room, causing small dust and derbies to be chucked down from the incredible force generated.

Though they were underground, there were airlocks inbuilt here. To allow the free passage and circulation of air for many years. All powered by the blue mana stones mined by Lumia kingdom.

Not responding, the room was awfully quiet for some considerable seconds. The old woman’s expression blank, making it hard to predict what strange thoughts ran through her mind.

’I’m not the best at giving speeches but still, it couldn’t be helped.’ Layla inwardly thought, hoping her words had gotten through to the aging beauty.

”I didn’t think she’d be able to take this lightly.” Lucia’s slightly scoffed with wide eyes.

Not expecting Layla to handle this matter so easily like she was doing. Judging from her strong personality for justice and upholding the law, she never backed down from a fight.

Even when faced with an opposing stronger opponent she persevered.

Sighing the glass clutched in Katie’s grip loosened, slipping through the blood from the cut made. Holding the sharp weapon too tightly.

”I see~” Katie muttered her head lowered down. ”Thank you for showing me the light, I needed it.” Her voice was soft and filled with regret, admitting to her mistakes.

Which came as a surprise to all, not expecting the old woman to easily accept defeat.

”W-what are you doing? You’re not possibly giving up now are you!?” Bartholin fumed, his face turning bright red like the inside of a watermelon.

”Yeah~ what the hell was all that talk about freedom and the great liberation. You really were and inspiration, and even got me turned on. For the first time in a long while.” Bertha stuttered, her breathing has changed. Slightly becoming rough with heat, tints of red forming to her flushed face.

Not uttering a word, Liam steadily made his way to katie. ”Don’t tell me you’ve gone soft after a little pep talk. Not after everything they’ve taken from us!”

He roared, his chest rising and falling with the deep pants he took. Lifting her head to meet his gaze, she placed both her hands to his cheeks.

”We were blinded by rage and clouded by dark and intrusive thoughts. Lumia kingdom is our home and birth place, we have to defend it with our lives!” She charismatically spoke, her attitude taking a 180° degree turn for good.

Listening to her, Liam’s pupils stitched but he remained silent. Accepting defeat and an end to the start of a civil war. Making her way to Layla, the latter was a bit startled seeing Katie approach.

”Thank you for you changing my perspective, you’re most certainly wise for a young woman your age.” Katie brightly smiled, bowing down just 2 meters from Layla.

”Hehe~ it’s nothing really.” Layla awkwardly chuckled, scratching her head in embarrassment. Her cheeks flushed red.