Beast Hack: Customizing Beasts and Capturing Beauties

Ragnar folded his arms across his chest as he glanced at Anselm and Karion. "Now, she's proved her power. You can't doubt her anymore, right?"

Anselm's frown deepened, but he didn't respond. He unwillingly admitted that he was wrong.

However, Karion couldn't hold back his frustration and glanced back at Liora before turning to Ragnar. "Where the hell did you find her? How can someone as young as her be a 6-Star Tamer?"

Ragnar only smirked. He was enjoying their looks of disbelief. "Of course she can. Who says a little girl can't become a 6-Star Tamer?"

He gestured toward Liora with a slight tilt of his head, "You'd do well to remember that strength doesn't always come with age."

Outwardly, Ragnar maintained his usual smug demeanor, but inwardly he was also in disbelief.

"What the hell is wrong with Lucius and his maids? They keep pulling off these ridiculous feats like it's nothing."

Even as he spoke with ease, Ragnar found himself wondering how it was even possible. Find more to read at My Virtual Library Empire

"Just a few days ago, she was 5-Star. And now she's standing here, stronger than most veterans I've fought beside."

He resisted the urge to shake his head. Lucius always had a way of making the impossible seem like part of his daily routine. And now his maids were doing the same.

Karion opened his mouth to retort but thought better of it. Instead, he clenched his fists and muttered something under his breath.

Ragnar clapped his hands together. "Good. Now that we've got that settled, how about you stop complaining, and we get moving?"

Before anyone could respond, Anselm cleared his throat and stepped forward. "Before we proceed, let me introduce some key figures in this operation."

He gestured toward a tall and imposing man who stood near the edge of the tent. "This is Drayton Raventhorn, Patriarch of the Raventhorn family and Karion's ally."

Drayton took a slow step forward and glanced at Ragnar. "I see that you finally decided to grace us with your presence, huh."

Ragnar smirked. He was unfazed and gave a lazy shrug. "Drayton. Still clinging to Karion's side, I see. Guess some things never change."

Drayton frowned, but he said nothing. Instead, he glanced at Liora briefly before turning back to Anselm. He was uninterested in further arguments.

Anselm moved and gestured toward two armored men standing to the side. "These two are the Empire's generals."

He pointed toward the man with fiery red hair. "General Feron, the Falme General."

He also pointed toward a broad-shouldered man clad in brown armor. "And General Delano, the Earth General."

General Feron stepped forward. He glanced at Ragnar and Liora. "So, the Volcaria Patriarch finally decided to show up. I thought you were too busy playing king in your little mountain to care about the empire's affairs."

Ragnar only smirked. "Playing king? Oh, Feron, I see you still haven't learned the difference between ruling and following orders."

Feron wanted to argue, but before he could, General Delano spoke. "You should learn to respect the chain of command, Ragnar."

He pointed his finger at Ragnar. "You may have found the enemy's position, but that doesn't give you the right to act superior."

Ragnar chuckled softly and glanced at Liora. "Did you hear that? Apparently, finding the enemy and showing up with the best fighter here means nothing."

Delano frowned after hearing that. Karion soon sensed the opportunity to mock Ragnar further and stepped forward.

"General Delano is right, Ragnar. This is a joint operation, not your family's playground. If you can't work with us, perhaps you should step aside."

Ragna's smirk faded slightly. He stepped closer to Karion. "Step aside? Funny, coming from someone who can't find the enemy without my help."@@novelbin@@

Karion frowned. He wanted to retort back, but before he could, Anselm intervened by raising his hand to stop the brewing argument. "Enough. We don't have time for this."

He glanced around the tent before continuing. "There's someone important here who should be introduced."

Suddenly, a man who was well dressed in ornate armor stepped forward. He also glanced at Liora briefly when he was going to the center.

He stopped a few steps away from Ragnar and offered a slight bow. "Patriarch Ragnar, it's an honor. I am Anthony Solvian, the First Prince of the Astranean Empire."

Ragnar raised his eyebrow. He was a bit surprised to meet the first prince here. "I see. So, you're the First Prince, but what is a royal like you doing out here in the middle of a war camp?"

Anthony smiled and became serious. "The mysterious group we're targeting has become a growing thorn in the Empire's side."

Anthony waved his hand. "They have caused enough chaos to disrupt the empire. As the First Prince, it's my responsibility to handle them personally."

Ragnar crossed his arms and smirked. He was a bit interested in him. "I see. So the Empire's getting serious about this now, huh?"

Anthony smiled and glanced briefly at Liora again before turning back to Ragnar. "Serious enough to send me. I also understand that you've brought... unique help."

Ragnar caught the glance but chose to ignore it. He focused on the task at hand. "Well then, Prince. If you're here to help, I won't complain. But we've already wasted enough time with introductions and arguments."

He turned toward the gathered group. "Let's move out. I'll show you the way to their base."

Anthony smiled and nodded. "Please lead the way, patriarch Ragnar."

Without further delay, Ragnar led the way out of the tent, Liora walking quietly by his side.

As they moved toward the camp's outskirts, where the forces were gathered, Ragnar leaned slightly toward her. "Watch that prince. He's been eyeing you from the start."

Liora didn't need further explanation. She had already noticed the way Anthony had been watching her. "I'll keep an eye on him."

Ragnar smirked faintly. "Good. Let's see how long it takes before he realizes we're not playing by the Empire's rules."