Supreme BeastTamer: I Can Copy and Upgrade Skills 10x!

After the dimensional door disappeared, Erin remained standing for some time, staring at the place where the door had been a few seconds ago.

Akira gazed at the spot too, and for some minutes, an absolute silence filled the air. No one said anything as everyone was lost in their own thoughts.

The Valkyries were in a trance. They couldn't believe that the low-level male had actually held his own against Erin and even escaped. This was something they thought they'd never witness in their lifetime, considering the kind of fierce and dominating reputation Erin held in the whole of Valhalla.

As for Akira, her thoughts were much more turbulent. Although it had only been a few seconds, she already missed him dearly. Akira clenched her fist.

"I have to believe in what he said," she muttered to herself. Even though their time together was relatively short, she felt that Nox was a man of his word. She didn't know where she was getting the confidence from, but she believed that Nox would return just as he had said.

Erin's gaze lingered on the distance for a while before she let out a heavy sigh. She turned to the others and informed them that they were leaving. The Valkyries nodded their heads and sprang into motion.

The journey to the gate that led to the outside world was quiet. Erin's emerald eyes narrowed as she walked beside Akira. She was still in a sour mood from the fight with Nox.

Her fists clenched as the memory of Nox's parting smirk resurfaced in her mind. She tried to stop thinking about him.

Yet, no matter how hard she tried to shove it aside, the lingering warmth of his body against hers refused to fade from her mind.

'What's wrong with me?' she scolded herself, shaking her head fiercely. Her cheeks burned as the vivid memory surfaced once again, and she had to bite the inside of her cheek to snap herself out of it.

Beside her, Akira was unusually quiet, but no one disturbed or bothered her to speak as they knew the reason very well. They could only curse the hateful human male that had broken their princess's delicate heart.

Erin stole a glance at her, noting the subtle tremor in her movements and the way her eyes darted nervously.

"With time, you'll get over him. Don't worry," Erin said, but the next moment she bit her lip, realizing that she sounded like a hypocrite saying this.

Akira didn't respond. She didn't think she could ever forget about Nox. It was just impossible.

Erin's brows furrowed, but she decided not to press further. Besides, she had her own swirling emotions to deal with.

Soon, they exited the golden-colored gate and stepped onto a wildland, with mountains and pure serene lakes creating the perfect backdrop for a fantasy movie if it were back on Earth. Close to the base of the mountain, several tents were stationed.

These tents were occupied by Valkyries. Some of them were training with swords, while a few were bathing in the lake, the golden sunlight casting a beautiful radiance across their wet, well-sculpted, and blemish-free bodies.

A moment later, a Valkyrie approached Akira and Erin. Bowing slightly, the Valkyrie reported:

"Princess, Lady Erin," she greeted in a respectful voice. "I have a message from the Queen."

"What message?" Akira asked in a trembling voice. She recognized the person standing in front of her as one of her mother's most trusted. If this person was here, it meant the message was serious.

"Prince Gideon has arrived. He's currently in the royal castle and is very eager to meet you." Find more chapters on empire

"Prince Gideon?" Akira's eyes flashed with anger as she heard this name, and with a dark expression on her face, she couldn't help but think, That disgusting giant. What does he want this time now?

"Princess, the carriage is waiting for you," the Valkyrie gestured to the carriage waiting before the portal.

With a heavy sigh and a bit of reluctance, Erin dragged her feet to the carriage.

Erin and Akira boarded the flying carriage shortly after, while the rest of the Valkyries went to join the others.

As the flying carriage glided gracefully through the skies, the magnificent sight of Valhalla spread out below them. Silver and golden towers pierced the skies, their tips glinting in the sunlight.

This city was capable of making most people open their mouths in awe, but for someone like Erin, who had grown up and spent almost her entire life here, it had no effect.

Akira, however, seemed even more unsettled as they neared the royal palace. Her nervousness became more evident.

The carriage landed softly on the palace's grand platform, where a servant informed them of the Queen's summons. Akira's face paled further, but she nodded briskly and excused herself.

"I'll freshen up first," Akira said, her voice quieter than usual.

Erin tilted her head, watching as the princess hurried down one of the marble corridors.

"Strange," she murmured to herself, but she let it slide. Everyone had their burdens to bear.

Left alone, Erin wandered through the castle's opulent halls, her boots clicking against the polished floors. She tried to focus on the task at hand—reporting to the Queen about the male and how he had infiltrated the dimension.

What was that strange door? There were lots of questions.

But her traitorous mind kept drifting back to something else.

"Why can't I stop thinking about him?" Erin muttered, clenching her fists. The memory of his mocking grin, his infuriatingly calm demeanor, and the way he had pinned her down with his threads. Her cheeks flushed again, and she slapped herself lightly on both cheeks.

"Get a grip, Erin! He's just a male. An arrogant, insufferable male!"

Hours passed, and Erin decided it was time to check on Akira. The princess should have finished by now, but she was nowhere to be found. Erin grew concerned and searched through the palace, asking servants if they'd seen Akira.

Finally, one servant hesitated before replying, "The princess left some time ago. She seemed… troubled."

Erin's heart skipped a beat. "Left? Where did she go?"

The servant shook his head. "I'm sorry, my lady, but I don't know."

A sinking feeling settled in Erin's stomach. Something wasn't right. She rushed to Akira's room and pushed the door open.

Her gaze swept through the room and finally fell on a piece of parchment lying on the queen-sized bed. Erin approached the parchment and picked it up to read.

However, what she read made her blood run cold.

The princess was gone!