The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven)

Chapter 161

Chapter 161

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"Lieutenant General Valor! When did you arrive?" Edric's tone turned eager as he stepped forward, posture respectfully lowered. "Please, come in-right this way."

Corey blinked, momentarily stunned by the sight. Edric Lysander-the head of one of Regalhold's Five Great Clans, a man who stood near the apex of Vyrdenia's power structure-was... being this courteous?

To a colonel, no less? What was going on?

The sight unsettled Corey. His gaze swept toward Edric, laced with confusion- then suddenly, as if a thought had struck him like lightning, his breath

caught.

He turned to look at Raven again, but this time, with a very different expression.

'Could it be... this absurdly young officer isn't just powerful-she has backing so strong, even someone like Edric doesn't dare offend her?"

As the realization settled, Corey felt a sudden, cold clarity flood his mind. Everything began to make sense.

Because otherwise-how could a girl, still so young, not only be appointed as the acting president of Regalhold University, but also wield such shocking

influence and dominance?

He'd seen her arrogance before. Her blatant disregard for consequence. At first, he'd assumed it was just raw boldness or foolish overconfidence.

But now? It reeked of protection. Of privilege. Of someone who had always been sheltered from consequence.

Corey's expression darkened. He had initially been willing to admit that Raven was a rare talent-sharp, decisive, even a potential future star. But if all that strength was the result of resources and pedigree? If she had been propped up to her current position?

Then she was no longer impressive. She was just... another overhyped product of power and nepotism.

He had seen enough of those: arrogant, entitled fools who thought being born lucky made them worthy of respect.

at Raven

someone like

he would not

ushered Raven through the gates of

politely, Raven asked, "Where's

and already surprised by Edric's behavior-visibly tensed. Her

"He had something to take

group. "The other clan heads have mostly arrived. Please,

courteous gesture, he began leading them toward the heart of the Lysander

and followed, clearly unfazed by his

space that served as

noticed was the enormous black stone platform at the very center of the

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Chapter 161

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tall and spanned more than thirty feet across,

it a glance, then quickly swept her gaze over the crowd. There were at least three or four hundred people in attendance, though

seconds, Raven had already spotted several

attention soon drifted to the food stands set up along the edges of the

hadn't been bad, but tonight's seemed even more refined. For once, a flicker of anticipation stirred in her

froze in his tracks as he watched her head straight for the

this kind of

brain short-circuited at the sight. Somehow, the image of the Iron Queen casually picking out delicate pastries felt utterly

She watched Raven select a few sweets and sit down at a nearby table, showing no interest in mingling or social

It deepened Kyla's uncertainty.

background, especially after witnessing Edric's respectful demeanor. But if Raven really had that kind

outright-if Raven did

walked over