Chapter 82 - Crystal Country

"That's right, Vin. But, grandma doesn't know how Lord Jack got out of the seal. Lord Jack only said that he was saved by a Mortal who was holding a square object that emits fire."

"Does Grandma think that it was Yushen who saved our father first?" King Glen asked, curious.

"That's impossible, Glen. It happened about 50 years ago. Yushen probably wasn't born then." The Mermaid Queen responded.

"But, I can find many such things in the Human Realm," interrupted Vin, the innocent darling of the entire Greyrat clan.

"But, this is different, Vin. That thing has blood spots that can't be removed even if it's washed," said the Mermaid Queen again.

"Then, how do we know that what happened was true or just a hallucination of our father, Grandma? It could be that our father, who was in a weak state at that time, even recognized him wrongly. Actually, it was God who saved father, not Human."

"There is only one way, My Grandchildren. In the Land of Crystals there is an ancient library. It is in the palace that governs the land. There is a manual for removing Gods from any seal. Also on how to save other beings," explained Mermaid Queen.

"I've never heard of that country, Grandma?" said Vin, who felt it was the first time he heard the name 'Land of Crystals'.

"The Land of Crystals is a free land. It is detached from your father's rule as the leader of the 3 realms. It is between the God Realm and the Demon Realm. No one has ever made it there.

"Either that land really exists or it's just a legend. However, the ancestors of the Land of Fire-Water said it was true. If you see a fiery red lotus crystal blooming, then therein lies the Land of Crystals." The Mermaid Queen explained to her grandchildren.

"I will look for that place, Grandma. This is all for the sake of freeing your father," said Vin, firmly.

"I will help you to find him with the help of the soldiers, your brother. But, I'm sorry that I can't always accompany you like Gil usually does. I can't leave this Palace, Vin." King Glen spoke.

"Thank you, Brother Glen. You don't have to come with me. I'm sure I can find the Crystal Land alone," Vin replied, so reassuringly.

***

In a place where the ground sparkled, there was a girl who was practicing the skill of controlling her spiritual power.

With just a wave, the girl managed to stab the sparkling red object into the target. Well, the target was a human statue made of snow. A shimmering red object the size of a dagger managed to fill the snowman's body.

"Princess Aludra, His Majesty the King is calling for you."

A voice came from behind, causing the girl to stop what she was doing. Yup, the activity of injuring the artificial snowman was of course.

"Okay, I'll be right there." A beautiful princess who was called 'Princess Aludra' answered earlier.

***

In a room dominated by shimmering red, sat a manly and handsome man on a throne.

The room was magnificent and beautiful. The walls are made of red precious stones. Around him, there was a red lotus plant that was always in bloom, even when the roots weren't underground.

All ornaments are made of red crystals that glow when exposed to light.

"Daddy called me?" asked a beautiful girl who had just entered this room.

"Yes, My Daughter, Aludra. I heard that there was a feud between the Kingdom of Fotia and the Kingdom of Tranmoz. I ask that, as long as the feud is not over, don't go too far from our palace! I don't want our country to get involved with their feud."

The manly and authoritative figure spoke. Judging from his clothes and authority, the man is the King of this place.

"Okay, Daddy." The girl called Aludra answered.

***

Princess Aludra was walking in the Red Lotus Desert. This is one of the most beautiful places in the country. This place is really beautiful, the base consists of crystalline sand that shimmers in the sun.

Princess Aludra walked gracefully, followed by several ladies in tow.

"Princess Aludra, didn't Your Majesty tell us not to stay far from the palace?" said one of the maids.

"You guys calm down! My father will not know this. Besides, I was just taking a short walk," said the princess who was none other than the princess of the Crystal Country, Princess Aludra.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

They heard footsteps walking towards them. Princess Aludra actually already knew someone was following her a long time ago. However, the Princess was just pretending not to know.

Without a word, the Princess immediately took out a red crystal from the snap of her finger, and aimed right at the figure that had been following her for a long time.

Really, Princess Aludra is a very careless princess. She didn't care who she attacked, all she knew was eliminating those he didn't like.

Not far from where Princess Aludra was standing, there was a loud groan of pain.

The Princess looked for the sound of the pained moans coming from. I hope that Princess Aludra is not wrong, she thought.

Princess Aludra's eyes immediately widened. Seriously? Princess Aludra saw the figure of a man curled up on the ground.

The man covered one eye with his hand. Well, sparkling white blood oozed out of his eyes and through his fingers.

"Princess Aludra, he was injured from the princess' attack earlier!" shouted one of the ladies-in-waiting.

"Ouch, then what? I really didn't mean to. I thought the one following us was an intruder," said Princess Aludra while looking at the man who was still holding his left eye.

"After all, who told him to sneak around like a criminal, huh?" Princess Aludra grumbled, even scolding the ladies-in-waiting.

Princess Aludra bit the corner of her lips. She felt a little guilty. However, suddenly her gaze turned sharp.

"Wait a minute! We must not be fooled! He could be an intruder!" cried Putri Aludra to the ladies-in-waiting.

Then, Princess Aludra's gaze returned to the man who received the attack earlier.

"Hey, who exactly are you, huh?" said Princess Aludra while kicking the white-haired man's leg lightly.

There was no answer, the man still looked in pain. A moment later, the man slumped limply. He was still holding tightly to his eyes which were injured by Princess Aludra's crystal attack.

"Yeah ... why did you faint?" Princess Aludra looks very panicked. She turned to the ladies-in-waiting and said, "Lady, take him to the palace and treat him! Don't tell my father, I caused him pain. Understand?"

"Okay, princess," said the ladies-in-waiting at the same time.

***

-Crystal Country Palace-

A man tries to open his eyes. However, the light that came in made his eyes sting even more.

"Aarrrgh, why my eyes?" said the man while holding his left eye.

A woman came with a pink powder which she put on a flower petal.

"Shut up, Young Man! Open your eyes! This lotus flower pollen will heal your eyes."

The man obeyed. A moment later, he was able to open his eyes as usual.

"Thank you. My eyes don't hurt anymore." The silver-haired man, who was partly tied up, spoke.

"Forgive my daughter's carelessness, Son...?"

"Vincent. You can just call me Vin."

Well, it turned out that the man was Vincent Greyrat. He had already managed to enter the Crystal Palace despite the tragedy earlier. That's right, Vin's left eye must be the victim. Luckily at the Palace there is a special powder. If not, maybe Vin should lose sight of the left eye.

"Oh yes, Son. Where exactly are you from?" The Queen asked.

"I'm a prince from the Land of Fire-Water. If I may ask, where am I currently?" Vin asked softly to the woman who was his mother's age.

"You are in the Crystal Land Palace. And I am Acasha, the Queen of the Crystal Lands." The Queen said while rubbing Vin's head gently.

Vin immediately bowed, and put his right hand on his chest.

"Sincerely, Queen."

"There's no need to be so shy, Son. Get some rest! If you need anything there are ladies-in-waiting outside."

"Thank you, Queen."

Queen Acasha nodded and left the room.

Behind the door stood a beautiful girl, she looked so worried. Well, who else if not Princess Aludra?

Princess Aludra immediately pulled her mother's arm.

"How is the foreign man doing, Mother?" asked Princess Aludra while pulling Queen Acasha to walk away from the room.

"It's getting better, it seems. But, I saw that his left eye turned golden. He claimed to be a prince from the Land of Fire-Water," said the Queen Acasha.

"Done with me, Mom! Don't let my father know I hurt the prince of the Land of Fire-Water." Princess Aludra pleaded with her mother.

"Okay, mommy will keep this a secret from your dad." Queen Acasha responded to her daughter's request.

"Thank you, Mom." Princess Aludra kissed her mother's cheek.

To be continued ....