Supreme Hunter of Beautiful Souls-Chapter 163: Valebris, The Capital of the Witch Kingdom

Valebris, the Capital of the Witch Kingdom

In the heart of a vast territory where magic is the very essence of the land, stands Valebris, the magnificent capital of the Witch Kingdom. Surrounded by ancient forests that glow under the moonlight and mountains covered in eternal mists, Valebris is more than a city - it is a living symbol of the mystical power that has sustained the witches' domain for centuries.

The first impression when you cross its gates is that of entering another world. The huge black walls, made of enchanted stone and reinforced by ancient spells, guard the city against physical and spiritual threats. Every fifty meters, imposing watchtowers rise, crowned by magical coats of arms that flicker with the energy of unceasing protection.

Once through the main gates, visitors are greeted by wide streets paved with polished obsidian slabs, which reflect the sky like dark mirrors. The scent of exotic flowers and magical resins hangs in the air, while tiny luminous particles - known as faelumes - float lazily, illuminating Valebris naturally at night.

The buildings of Valebris combine beauty, grandeur and magical functionality. The houses are tall, with facades of gray stone bewitched to resist time and the attack of hostile entities. Colorful stained glass windows tell stories of ancient witch queens and legendary battles, tinting the interior of the residences with kaleidoscopic lights.

In the center of the city stands the grandiose Palace of the Eternal Moon, the official residence of the Witch Queen. The palace is a masterpiece of arcane architecture: its spiral towers defy gravity, suspended by ancient spells. The inner halls are decorated with enchanted tapestries that change according to the seasons, and the black crystal staircases lead to secret rooms known only to the highest members of the court.

Thus, Valebris is divided into several districts, each pulsating with a specific type of magic:

District of the Ages: Here are the workshops of witches who specialize in temporal magic and ancient knowledge. Magical clocks adorn the squares, and flying books are common, transporting themselves from one library to another.

Mists District: The main residential area, where most of the citizens and their families live. The houses here are surrounded by small enchanted gardens, and it's not uncommon to see mystical creatures like winged cats or three-eyed owls roaming freely.

Eclipse District: Military and security center, home to the academies of combat mages and the barracks of the Lunar Guard. In this district, everything exudes discipline and vigilance. Patrols armed with magic blades and combat wands are constantly on the move.

District of Mirrors: The district of commerce and the arts. Vibrant markets offer rare potions, magical artifacts, enchanted clothing and food that glows softly under the light of spells. Magical performance artists perform in the streets, enchanting visitors and locals alike.

The city breathes magic. In Valebris, the very atmosphere is charged with etherium, an invisible essence that enhances the powers of those sensitive to arcane art. Fountains of sparkling water spring up in every square, and beams of light that defy the laws of physics occasionally cut through the sky, as if they were trails left by ancient gods.

This excess of magic does, however, require constant vigilance. Containment runes are engraved at strategic points in the city to prevent magical energy from flowing chaotically and causing spontaneous disasters.

On the side of the main road, at the monumental entrance to Valebris, a new Control Outpost had been installed. The structure was made of living black stone, shaped by spells that made it part of the ground. Runes glowed on its walls like ribbons of energy, and above the main tower, a large magical eye floated, watching over all who approached.

Patrolling witches - known as Moon Guards - carried out rigorous inspections. Every foreigner who arrived was forced to go through a screening: identity checks, magical analysis to detect disguises and a brief mind scan carried out with permission (or, in the case of resistance, by force).

"Name and origin," said a young guard, her voice firm, as she extended her hand to the traveler before her, a nervous merchant carrying silver amulets.

"Caleb of Lyndor," replied the man, sweating as he felt a slight magical pressure on his mind.

The guard nodded and, after a brief reading, allowed him to pass - but not without first marking his tunic with a tracking symbol, invisible to the naked eye, but glowing in the eyes of the security spells.

Inside the main guardhouse, two high-ranking witches were watching the movement. Both wore grey robes, symbolizing their official and neutral role in the defense corps. Between one report and another, their conversations, initially routine, began to slip into uneasy murmurs.

"You've noticed, haven't you?" said one of them, a woman with short red hair called Vera Althwyn. She crossed her arms, leaning against the stone parapet.

"The fivefold increase in security... troops in every alley, magic corridors sealed off, continuous surveillance even on the air routes," added her companion, Sereia Varn, a witch with silver eyes and a constantly worried expression. "I've never seen Valebris like this. Not even in the Northern Frontier wars."

Vera frowned, looking up at the sky where the watchtowers flashed with runic lights.

"And all this... why? What kind of threat could justify so much preparation?"

Sereia shrugged, but her voice dropped to a whisper: "Or maybe... it's no ordinary threat. Maybe it's something personal to the Queen."

The two were silent for a moment, watching a new caravan of travelers being searched. Among them, they noticed a group of diplomats from a neighboring kingdom - known allies, but nevertheless being examined like any other.

The order from the throne was clear: no one - ally or not - was to pass without being searched.

In the background, the city was buzzing with the new measures. On the high rooftops, magical sentries moved discreetly, their cloaks blending in with the shadows of the night. Invisible containment barriers protected strategic points, and every known teleportation portal was under lockdown, requiring special authorizations to use.

The streets, once filled with artists, vendors and magic apprentices, now had a different rhythm - still vibrant, but with a subtext of caution. The whole of Valebris seemed to breathe more slowly, like an ancient beast, eyes ajar, ready to leap.

"Could it be that the Queen is expecting an attack?" asked Vera, in an almost fearful whisper. freewebnσvel.cøm

"Maybe," replied Sereia. "Or maybe she's protecting something... or someone."

Their gaze turned to the Palace of the Eternal Moon, visible even from a distance, its towers glowing with an abnormal intensity.

The last caravans of the day were approaching the Outpost when something unusual caught Vera and Sereia's attention.

Among the travelers, walking alone, was a boy. He must have been no more than eleven years old, wearing simple traveler's clothes - a heavy cloth overcoat, worn leather boots and a shoulder bag. The hood partially concealed his face, but as he got closer, it was possible to see his messy brown hair and deep, vivid blue eyes.

The guard in charge looked around, expecting to see the boy's parents... but no one seemed to be following him.

He approached calmly, stopping in front of the inspection desk, looking at the patrolwomen with a confidence that was disconcerting for someone his age.

"Name?" asked the guard, raising her clipboard.

The boy smiled - a genuine, peaceful smile, as if he were just paying a casual visit to a beloved relative.

"Kael Scarlet," he replied, gently placing a small black leather grimoire, used as an official document in the Witch Kingdom, on the table.

From the top of the tower, Vera and Sereia watched the movement. Something about the surname immediately sharpened their senses.

"Scarlet?" murmured Sereia in disbelief, while Vera was already rapidly descending the spiral staircase, driven by an instinctive impulse.

The patrolwoman hesitated, as if doubting what she had heard. To comply with protocol, she opened the grimoire, leafing through the first pages protected by authentication spells. As soon as the data began to reveal itself - golden letters magically appearing - she paled.

Kael Scarlet. Son of Elion Scarlet. Net...that of Eleonor Scarlet.

The world seemed to stop for a second.

Vera reached the counter just as the guard dropped the grimoire as if she had touched a burning furnace. The object fell with a thud onto the inspection table, still open, displaying the official coat of arms of House Scarlet: a crescent moon entwined with black roses - the personal symbol of the Queen herself.

"Your... Excellency..." stammered the guard, instinctively taking a step back.

Kael looked up at Vera, with an innocent and slightly confused expression.

"Is everything all right?" he asked. "Can I come in now? My grandmother is waiting for me."

Vera felt her heart hammer against her ribs. Even without having received an official notification - which was highly unusual - the surname spoke for itself.

Scarlet.

The same blood that ran through the Queen's veins ran through that boy.

The air around the post seemed to thicken, charged with contained magic, as the guards nearby tried to figure out what to do. There was no protocol for this. A direct grandson of the Queen turning up unescorted, without formal announcement, as if he were just another ordinary visitor?

Sereia finally reached the counter, her breathing still ragged.

"Vera," she whispered through clenched teeth. "This... this can't be treated as a normal entry."

Vera knew. Everything inside her screamed it.

With quick, respectful movements, she closed the grimoire and handed it back to the boy with both hands, bowing her head slightly in a gesture of reverence - not official, but respectful.

"Mr. Scarlet," said Vera, her voice firm but charged with controlled nervousness, "forgive the delay. Your entry will be arranged immediately. We are already sending a message to the Palace of the Eternal Moon to inform them of your arrival."

Kael just smiled, shaking his head.

"You don't have to worry so much," he said, as if he wasn't aware of the fuss he was causing. "My grandmother said I was supposed to come straight in. She'll be angry if I'm late."

The mention of the Queen's fury was enough to make several guards swallow.

"Understood, sir," said Sereia, quickly signaling for a special magical carriage to be prepared. "Please allow us to escort you to the Palace."

As the boy was led away with all possible ceremony - even though he didn't seem to give a damn - Vera and Sereia looked at each other, still incredulous.

"That explains the increased security," murmured Vera, a little pale. "It wasn't a threat from outside... it was him."

"The Queen's grandson," added Sereia, feeling a shiver run up her spine.