Chapter 788: Aina Vs the Twins In the Cromwell Kingdom... "Who are you people?" Aina stared intently at the two seated opposite her, her tone cold and expression very serious. The ones across from her were none other than Soren and Serene. After leaving the Vermilion Kingdom, they had come straight to Cromwell after tricking the guard into missing them. However, they had been stopped at the border near Luminary Forest and immediately brought to Aina. ’A Valkyrie, huh.’ Soren’s eyes glinted as he studied the red-haired woman with intrigue and interest. He cleared his throat. "My name is Soren, and this is my sister Serene... we heard the Cromwell Kingdom was relatively new and decided to check it out." Aina frowned, staring right at them. She didn’t say a word for a full minute, her gaze fixed on the pair as though trying to see through them. Those piercing eyes, for some reason, annoyed Serene, who felt naked under the scrutiny. Instinctively, she shifted her gaze away. "First of all, where are you two from?" Aina asked. "Your features... they look nothing like those of the neighboring kingdoms." Though she wasn’t from the human domain, she had fair knowledge of the features of those within the kingdoms. She could confidently say these two were not from the Vermilion Kingdom. "You’re quite right. We came from a far place," Soren nodded. "We’re from Imperia." "Imperia... the distant island kingdom that takes days to reach?" "Yes." He nodded proudly. Of course she knew who Imperia was. They were a superpower in the human continent. In fact, they were rumored to be the first people who drove demons out of their kingdom. Why would anyone leave a kingdom as powerful as that to come to a small, upcoming kingdom like Cromwell? Was it because of the emergence of the new Beast-Taming class? Were they spies? Or were they here to disrupt everything? Aina’s brain was moving at a fast speed, trying to come up with a logical reason for these two being here. Just then, there was a soft knock on the door, jolting her from her thoughts. Normally, all guards were aware she had visitors inside and wouldn’t disturb her unless there was an urgent and important report. "Come in." Following her voice, a guard stepped inside and handed her a small parchment. On the parchment was the purple stamp of the Vermilion Kingdom’s royal seal. "Dismiss," Aina said, taking it from her before reading through it. As she read, her expression remained unreadable, making it impossible for the twins to know what she was thinking. When she was done, she folded the parchment and slowly lifted her gaze to the twins. The message was indeed from King Adrian himself—warning her about the very two sitting before her. "This changes everything..." she muttered, though the words somehow traveled to the ears of the identical twins. "Changes what?" Serene asked, annoyance lacing her voice. Aina glared. "I refuse to believe you’re here just to visit." "If I may ask again—what exactly is your reason for being here?" Her tone was dangerously low and cold. There was a clear shift in the atmosphere. "You have two choices," she continued. "Leave this kingdom... or I’ll force you out myself." Silence. A sharp light flashed across Serene’s eyes. "You wouldn’t dare... we can step into whichever kingdom we want." "Why the sudden change?" Soren asked, eyes narrowing slightly. But Aina wasn’t in the mood to talk. She stretched out her hand, and her trusty blade flew into her grasp. "Oh, I see," Soren smirked. "I’ll deal with her, brother... she’s been getting on my nerves for quite a while now," Serene said, stepping forward. "I see you’ve made your choice," Aina nodded. "Very well then. I don’t mind forcing you out of my kingdom myself." The moment she said this, she vanished from her spot. In the next instant, she was upon Serene. ’Fast!’ Serene licked her lips as she quickly retrieved a pair of short swords and blocked the strike. Surprisingly, she didn’t move an inch backward. Aina wasn’t shocked. She could tell there was something special about these two even though they appeared relatively young. She pressed forward, her blade flashing twice, then a third time in a tight arc. Serene blocked all three with her short swords, her expression twisting into an unhinged grin. "Oh... this is fun." Suddenly Aina realized something was wrong—the girl’s presence felt different, as if she was no longer the same person. And what Serene did next proved that point. Her teeth sharpened slightly as she lunged, moving far more savagely than before. She moved like a wild beast, not a trained warrior. Her strikes were unpredictable—low, high, spinning, stabbing—like someone who enjoyed the fight purely for the thrill. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Soren didn’t interfere. He leaned against the wall, arms folded, calmly watching while the two tore up the hall. Aina parried a downward slash and kicked Serene away, but the girl only skidded half a step before rushing in again with crazed laughter. "You’re too stiff, Valkyrie!" "And you talk too much," Aina muttered. Their blades met again. This time, Aina infused her strike with mana. A wave of force erupted, sending Serene flying backward into the wall, creating a huge dent. Aina exhaled lightly, adjusting her stance and catching her breath. But Serene stepped out of the rubble completely unharmed. She grinned, cracking her neck to the side. "That was cute. Try that again." Aina didn’t hesitate. She charged, blade coated with radiant white flame. Serene welcomed the attack, her swords meeting the flaming blade in a violent clash. Sparks swept across the hall. This time, Serene moved differently, too differently. Her eyes were no longer mocking. They were empty. Violent. Hungry. Soren sighed loudly. "She’s in her alternate personality again. Don’t mind her. She’ll calm down... eventually." Aina didn’t get the chance to reply as her opponent vanished. Her instincts screamed, and she tilted her head just in time. A blade tore across her cheek, leaving a thin line of blood. Serene inhaled softly. "Mmm... that smell. I love strong prey." Aina spun, slashing upward, but Serene ducked, swept her legs, and drove an elbow straight into her chest. CRACK! The impact threw her across the hall, smashing her through a wooden table. For a second, she lay there, stunned by the strength of the young woman... and in that moment, her realization settled in. ’These two... they’re monsters. The king didn’t exaggerate at all."