The Killer Queen

There’s only three on Vocalist’s side in the South Flora Storage. Come now, boss!”

The South Flora Storage wasn’t far from where Noella stood–it was merely six miles away. She quickly memorized the route after a glance at her phone’s map, then pocketed the device and swung her leg over her parked motorcycle, securing her helmet before revving the engine to life.

“Hey, Ulrich, I’ve got something urgent, so can you drop off Malvina and Elara for me? I’ll head home later!” Noella called out, the roar of her bike punctuating her hastiness.

“Wait, Noella-” Ulrich’s response was cut short as Noella’s figure vanished around the corner, soon becoming nothing more than a blur on the horizon.

Malvina let out a whistle, “Wow, would you look at that? Our little Noella’s got a wild streak. I like it!” She had thought Noella was the pampered darling of the Schnabel family, the precious Ms. Noella.

Squinting in the direction Noella had disappeared, Malvina had a hunch she was heading toward the Shadow Dragon Society’s hideout. Whether or not it was a mere gut feeling, she was all for buying Noella some time.

The Shadow Dragon Society had a hand in her mother’s death, and now they expected to roam around Imperial City, terrorizing people under Arthur’s protection. Not on her watch. “If a dog bites without a leash, it’s the owner’s fault,” Malvina mused aloud.

Turning to Ulrich with a flirtatious smile, she said, “I think I’ll stop here. Those guys know me, and I can’t explain that to grandpa. Mind giving me a ride back?”

“If you don’t, I’ll tell our dear Noella you’re a bad brother. You’re supposed to bring a girl back safe and sound, right?”

Ulrich’s eyelid twitched in annoyance.

“Fine, I’ll take you home. Elara, hop on.”

As they drove, Malvina passed the phone to Ulrich, “Add me on WhatsApp, why don’t you? You’re the second in the Schnabels, and I’m in the same spot at the Grubers. We might have more in common than you think.”

Common ground?

What could they possibly share?

As Ulrich added her, he raised an eyebrow and said, “Do you also have a passion for research on proton pump inhibitors for stress–related ulcers? Because that would be something we have in common.”

There, Ulrich was launching into a ceaseless explanation of his latest research project, but Malvina didn’t catch a word. Her gaze glazed over with confusion.

“Uh… what?” Elara couldn’t contain herself anymore and just cut Ulrich off. “Stop it, will you? Brag about your research when you win a prize or something. Who wants to listem to that kind of talk?”

Her brother was destined to be a bachelor for life. Did he really think Malvina was Interested in proton pump inhibitors?

Malvina rubbed her temples, muttering to herself, “What a blunder. I thought I could snag a Schnabel heir to beef up my inheritance claim, but I caught a dud instead.”

As they continued, Ulrich’s eyes flicked to the rear–view mirror.

“We’re being followed. Are they Shadow Dragon Society goons?”

outfor

Malvina just leaned out for a look.

“Huh? Looks like they are after me. That driver is Yvonne’s father. His face is uniquely hideous and made me hard to forget.”

Duncan Gruber, namely Yvonne’s father, was Arthur’s right–hand man, had been handling the dirtiest of deeds for Arthur during all those years.

“Probably that idiot Yates wanting Yvonne to replace me. As if she could, with that face?

Please.”

Malvina scoffed; her stunning face was dripping her disdain.

me, that’d be

“Ulrich, if it’s too much trouble, just drop me off. I’m not so helpless as to need the Schnabels to deal with this. Though, if you wanted to leave a few guys with me,

great!”

Ulrich glanced at her with a complex look on his face.

She was all bravado, despite the sweat on her forehead and her trembling hands.

“Since she’s a friend of my sister’s, and she just helped us find several Shadow Dragon Society hangouts, I’m not one to abandon a friend in need.” He mused.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

He undid the top buttons of his shirt as his expression darkened.

“There are cameras ahead; better to shake them off before we make a move. Hold tight!”

South Flora Storage.

The vast, abandoned warehouse was a relic surrounded by derelict buildings. Noella’s motorcycle skidded across the decrepit landscape, her eyes fixed on the nearest

structure.

19-43 1

Phecda emerged from the bushes and waved at Noella,

Boss, over here! Vocalist is on the fifth floor. The Shadow Dragon Society has over three hundred men, and Vocalist’s reinforcements are still on the way. I’m afraid that they won’t make it anytime soon.”

“Won’t make it?” she asked.

“People from the Abyssal Organization were blocked. Someone literally dug up the road with excavators and thus trapped them. It’ll take a while to get here.”

Even Phecda was stunned by the Shadow Dragon Society’s ruthlessness. Imperial City was not some lawless border town but now it was more messed–up.

As a concerned citizen, Phecda dialed the emergency hotline, reporting everything and sending a file on the Shadow Dragon Society’s activities.

Fortunately, unlike the border regions, Imperial City still upheld the rule of law.

“The police have taken control over there, and our guys are on rescue duty. But Vocalist is in a tight spot.” Phecda claimed.

There were only three people here in the Abyssal Organization, so it was indeed a bit tricky to fight against more than three hundred rivals.

“Where did the Shadow Dragon Society find so many people?” Noella asked.

Imperial City’s Shadow Dragon Society only had a total of over two hundred people, and even if Arthur brought along the Gruber family, they still wouldn’t be able to gather over

three hundred.

“It’s the Westwood Mercenary Corps, no doubt about it. Those guns–for–hire have been itching for a fight after too much downtime at the border. Time to give them a taste of Harmonia’s law and order.” Ivan stepped out carrying a heavy sniper with grass in his mouth. “Our guys are ambushed, and it won’t be too much of a problem to rescue them.”

Noella’s eyes settled on the deserted structure before them. The once–promising monument to urban development now stood as a monument to neglect. With all those dust and debris, people would have a fatal tumble through the air once they paid less

attention.

“I’ll take a look from above,” she declared, her tone steely.

Ivan’s surprise was evident. “Boss, you’re going in yourself?”

She shook her head, “He doesn’t need my rescue, but he aims at wiping out the Shadow Dragon Society. That’s an outcome we can work with. Get ready.”

The Abyssal Organization might have been out of reach, but people in Obelisk. Organization were ready and waiting. A ragtag gang and an obscure band of mercenaries thought they could stir up trouble in the Imperial City?

12:53

“Bous, don’t tell me you’ve actually got a soft spot for Vocalist,” Ivan teased. “First time I’ve seen you this invested. Must be that betrothal bond, eh?”

“It’s not about that. It’s about honor and morality. If you were stuck up there, I’d pull you out too.” Noella said,

As she shouldered her weapon and began the ascent, Phecda eyed Ivan with a raised eyebrow,

“Honor and morality? Since when does our boss play that tune?”

Ivan shrugged, “Not really her style, is it?”

“You think she’d do the same for me if I’m up there?”

“Sure, she’d save you,” Ivan replied with a smirk. “But whether you’d come back in one plece, or breathing, that’s another story.”

Satisfied with the amended version of their leader’s intentions, Phecda led the others to their ambush positions.