Chosen Mate of the Beastmen Empire by Lewis Reed

Chapter 406 Chapter 406

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The ground shook, mountains trembled. Rolling dust swallowed the whole valley, blotting out the sun. Everyone inside turned blind, unable to see a thing.

People were animals too, after all. When danger hit, some bolted in a panic, others curled up in despair, leaving it to fate.

A chunk of them had already taken the worst of it-knocked out bleeding by the blast, vision black, ears ringing. They couldn't dodge falling rocks or even the trampling feet of their own in the chaos.

The newly minted old chief got clocked by a chunk of debris too, his head splitting open. Ignoring the pain, he sat there horrified, hearing horns and war cries from outside.

When a couple of soldiers finally grabbed him and hauled him to the army, he twisted around. As the dust cleared, he saw the aftermath-his pupils shook, hands and feet trembling like a sieve.

The stone wall was gone, smashed to bits. The cliffs on either side weren't pressed tight anymore-a massive gap had been ripped open, surrounded by scattered boulders big and small.

"Heaven's thunder. Divine punishment," the old man mumbled. "The mountain god's pissed."

The soldier gripping one arm was from Hilltop City, clueless about barbarian talk, and asked the local soldier on the other arm, "What's he muttering about? You get it?"

“Uh, uh,” the local guy frowned. "He says they've sinned, and the mountain god's done protecting them-now it's punishing

them."

"They sure have sinned! Killed so many of our innocent folks-they should've died ages ago!" Hilltop City soldier nodded sagely, then shook his head. "But wait, no- the general's wife set off something to blast the mountain open. What's that got to do with a mountain god?"

The local soldier scratched his cheek. "He's just babbling nonsense."

"The general's wife's gotta be a fairy from the heavens, not the mountains!" said the Hilltop soldier.

"You're right." The local soldier nodded.

*****

ten thousand troops. Before it kicked off, everyone thought that was way too few,

out of their wits. The first wave that stumbled out running got picked

wall-shouting earlier, the captured barbarians were meeker than sheep now, bawling for the mountain god

down herself, but it got her more worshippers, even the maids

Pale Wolf's fighting chops, she'd make a solid rebel leader. But the guy on the throne was her

it-the little cat would roll right into her lap, begging to step down and be her pet.

and neither did Erik.

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12:16 Sun, 16 Mar

Chapter 406

stack of calling cards-big shots like army deputies down to Kellingtown merchants and gentry. all sending their wives and daughters

crown, ready to dash off a

a poker face but sorted them all

tattle to the Emperor later

some sightseeing around Kellingtown. No photos, so she sketched a few

already flipped the jealousy jar by now. She needed gifts ready-make coaxing

much this season-city shops didn't have anything fresh or exciting, nothing beating palace tributes. So Nyx poked around the wild instead- skipping risky mushrooms

a few others. They

flower crown, and the palace cat wouldn't

few days, Nyx got restless, wanting to stretch out more. One night, on

prodding and the word "ride. Suddenly wide awake in every

I lie down or sit up? Like before the legs

it was dark, no lights, and Nyx couldn't see a

she said, thinking Pale Wolf forgot she could handle

touch on his chest, Erik's dark eyes glinted like a wolf's. His long arm shot out,

*****

home beasts plenty, didn't