My Celestial Ascension Chapter 899: Two More Duke Showed Up

A short while after, two additional figures stepped into the Imperial Hall. They carried themselves with elegant composure, enveloped in a noble presence that set them apart from the common folk.

"We pay our respects to His Majesty, the Demon Emperor," the pair declared while dropping to their knees before the Emperor and inclining their heads in deference.

"Rise, Duke Alric Vane and Duke Corvin Hale," Rhex instructed with a slight inclination of his head, then inquired, "How fares the oversight of your domains lately?"

"Everything proceeds smoothly, Your Highness," they answered together in courteous voices.

"Understood... It appears you've handled your lands effectively. For this, I express my thanks to you both," Rhex responded steadily, a faint grin forming on his lips.

Duke Alric and Duke Corvin cast subtle disdainful glances at Yuan and his companions, quickly identifying them as humans and demi-humans.

Next, their eyes fixed on the recognizable features of Selvariel, widening in shock as her true nature dawned on them.

Alertness seized them immediately, thickening the atmosphere in the Imperial Hall into a stifling weight that seemed to suffocate, their stares toward the angel filled with revulsion and simmering wrath.

"What is this vile creature doing in this place?!" Duke Alric bellowed, clenching his jaws in outrage as his gaze burned with fury fixed on Selvariel.

Selvariel refused to brush off the slight. Her frame grew rigid, her gaze intensifying as she braced for whatever might come.

In the meantime, Duke Corvin regarded Rhex with a puzzled look and questioned, "Your Majesty, forgive my boldness, but why is she present in the Imperial Palace?"

"Ease yourselves. Duke Alric and Duke Corvin, compose your tempers. She poses no danger—at least not at present," Emperor Rhex stated in a composed but commanding tone, letting out a trace of his personal aura.

Duke Alric pulled back right away upon feeling the overwhelming pressure from their ruler. He shifted a step rearward and dipped his head.

"I beg your pardon for my rudeness. My emotions overrode my sense," he said sorry at once in a respectful manner.

Corvin shifted his attention to Yuan and the group with intrigued eyes and pondered silently, ’Could these be the fabled humans who braved the enigmatic storm wall to invade our lands?’

’They possess a striking look... and an Ogre plus a Mystic Fox are in their midst. Truly an intriguing assembly,’ he mused, his features showing admiration.

He cast another look at Selvariel and reflected, ’Yet this fails to clarify the angel's appearance... did she arrive alongside them?’

Facing Rhex once more, he queried, "Your Majesty, do they represent the whispered enigmatic visitors from outside our Continent?"

"Yes, that's correct," Rhex affirmed with a grin and elaborated, "And that angel serves that remarkable youth now, so there's no cause for concern regarding her being here."

"..." Duke Alric and Duke Corvin stood frozen briefly upon hearing the Emperor note that Selvariel had taken on servitude to a human.

"Y-You can't be serious, Your Majesty. This isn't amusing in the slightest. It's a grave issue," Duke Alric uttered in a quivering tone, his eyes bulging in astonishment.

"Exactly, Your Majesty! No angel would bow to a human. Her arrogance and pride are unmatched!" Corvin chimed in, bobbing his head emphatically with identical bewilderment.

"Didn't you two catch His Majesty's words? Or has age dulled your ears?"

Abruptly, Duke Hexryn’s lilting voice resounded across the Imperial Hall, paired with a light, playful chuckle.

The sharp taps of her high heels echoed on the ground as she advanced several paces with a self-satisfied look, her eyes peering down at the two dukes.

’At last, some amusement awaits...’ Yuan mused with a sly smile, detecting the rising tension.

"Oh? The hag has arrived... I scarcely noticed you until that biting tone of yours," Alric remarked with a cocky smirk, his words laced with scorn.

"Old granny??" Duke Hexryn’s mouth jerked as prominent veins throbbed on her brow. She ground her teeth, ire sparking in her stare.

Yet, reining in her temper, she plastered on a broad smile and shot back, "If I'm some old granny, then what are you? Even as one, I hold up fine in the bedroom. But you? Do you manage to please your wife at all?"

"I wager you'd falter in under a minute, needing another to step in... hahaha~" Duke Hexryn’s boisterous guffaw filled the Imperial Hall as she taunted Duke Alric publicly.

At this, Duke Alric’s cheeks flushed red. Prominent veins pulsed on his temple as his mouth contorted in wrath and shame.

’How's that strike you? Bet you're seething... maybe next time think before challenging me,’ Duke Hexryn snickered to herself while watching Alric’s face.

"Hmph, you're utterly shameless, Raveline. But you ignited this, so answer—does your worthless spouse even please you?" Alric fired back with a menacing smile, hardly containing his ire.

Those remarks caused Duke Hexryn’s face to shadow over without delay. Rage boiled within her as Alric involved her late husband in the spat.

Noting her response, Alric’s smile stretched wider. "Shall I dispatch aid to amuse you? It'd outshine that pathetic husband of yours by miles."

"How dare you slander my husband that way?! He's leagues above a failure like you!" Duke Hexryn yelled, her tone aflame with wrath as her aura erupted fiercely.

"Enough of this. You've both crossed lines with this ridiculous display," Rhex cut in, realizing the chaos was mounting.

As Rhex uttered the words, both Duke Hexryn and Duke Alric went rigid and pivoted to him, unwilling to defy the Emperor’s command.

"I seek your forgiveness for my impropriety, Your Majesty," Duke Hexryn promptly expressed regret, tilting her head down a bit.

"The same for me, Your Highness," Duke Alric followed, inclining his head deferentially.

"No harm lingers from it," Rhex exhaled gently before directing his eyes to Yuan and the rest.

"Meet Duke Alric Vane, ruler of Luncrest City. Beside him stands Duke Corvin Hale, overseer of Ardenfall City," Emperor Rhex presented serenely. "Ignore their prior rudeness, please."

"I myself was taken aback discovering the famed battle angel Selvariel in servitude. Their reaction is understandable," Rhex continued with a quiet breath.

Yuan simply inclined his head at the statement, holding his steady poise and opting for silence.