Supreme Spouse System.

Chapter 661: When Queens Cross the Threshold

When Queens Cross the Threshold

Crimson hair flowed loose over her shoulders, lit by sunbeams that made them flicker like embers caught mid-dance. They shifted slow, each motion sparking light as if heat could wear skin and walk. Around her, the world seemed already known - her gaze didn’t seek, it simply acknowledged, steady and sure.

Rias.

Up straight she rode, calm spreading through her shoulders. A breeze lifted strands from her face while fingers stayed open near her leg. Not once had those trees made her flinch. Quiet stood between them like an old agreement.

A figure stepped down beside her, purple hair caught in a tight knot at the back of her skull. Every motion smooth, deliberate - no flicker of hesitation as her feet met ground. Unlike Rias, who lounged in stillness, this one scanned edges and corners, eyes ticking like clockwork. Paths formed in her sight: where to move if trouble came, how fast she could vanish into cover.

Aria.

Her eyes missed nothing. Branch density. Ground slope. The faint indentation of old tracks. She absorbed it all in silence, mind already sketching invisible lines across the terrain.

A third figure followed.

Sleek black hair. Composed black eyes. A face as calm as still water.

Cynthia.

She dismounted with perfect posture, neither hurried nor slow. Her hands rested loosely near the hilt of her blade, fingers relaxed yet ready. Not tension. Not fear.

Readiness.

Two riders came next, moving in easy synchronicity.

Vivid green hair.

Matching green eyes.

They rode side by side, shoulders almost brushing, exchanging quiet glances that carried unspoken meaning. A faint smirk tugged at one woman’s lips. The other responded with a subtle roll of her eyes.

Syra and Kyra.

Where one radiated playful confidence, the other carried a reserved sharpness. Together, they formed a balanced contrast—spark and steel.

Behind them came more.

Nova, black hair framing sharp green eyes, expression alert and slightly severe. She scanned ahead with focus, jaw set, shoulders squared.

Mia and Cassidy followed close together. Both black-haired. Both dark-eyed. Quieter than the rest. Their gazes lingered on the ground, the trees, the spaces between people. Observers rather than participants.

Lira and Sona rode near the center.

Silver-white hair shimmered softly in the filtered light, almost glowing as sunlight slipped between leaves. Blue eyes reflected the forest’s emerald hues, calm but distant, as if each carried thoughts far beyond the present moment.

Tsubaki brought up another position in the line.

Long black hair tied back tightly. Posture disciplined. Eyes sharp, disciplined, never lingering too long in any one place. Every movement suggested training carved deep into muscle and bone.

Natasha rode near the rear of the front group.

Bob-cut black hair.

Black eyes steady and serious.

No wasted expression. No unnecessary motion.

Behind the riders came the carriages.

Several of them.

Large.

Heavily reinforced.

Thick wooden frames banded with dark metal. Wheels reinforced to endure long roads and hostile terrain. Each carriage rolled forward with a low, steady creak.

They carried supplies.

Clothing.

Crates of preserved food.

Scroll cases.

Documents sealed in wax.

Personal belongings tucked into chests.

And people.

Some rode within.

Some slept.

Some simply sat in silence, listening to the rhythmic rumble of travel.

Behind the carriages, two groups stood apart from all others.

Soldiers wearing silver armour.

Soldiers wearing black armour.

They marched in absolute silence.

No chatter.

No idle movement.

Weapons clean.

Armor polished.

Formation tight.

Every step landed in perfect rhythm with the next.

Every movement screamed veteran discipline.

These were not ceremonial troops.

These were not parade soldiers.

These were men and women who had bled.

Who had survived.

Who had killed.

The caravan slowed.

Hooves struck softer ground.

Wheels rolled across earth no longer choked by roots.

The forest thinned.

Light widened.

Air opened.

Beyond the final line of trees, the outer watchtowers of Nagarath became visible in the distance.

Stone Walls. Banners.

The faint silhouette of walls.

Rias swung off her horse first.

Boots hit dirt.

She stretched her arms above her head lazily, spine arching.

"Finally," she sighed. "If I had to stare at one more tree, I was going to start setting forests on fire."

Aria dismounted beside her, smoothing her cloak.

"You already complain like you’ve walked for months."

Rias shot her a look. "I did walk for months."

Mia slid off her horse more carefully, legs slightly stiff.

She glanced toward the city walls.

"...We’re really here."

Cassidy smiled faintly. "Looks like it."

Syra cracked her neck. "I told you we’d make it."

Kyra snorted. "After how many detours?"

Syra grinned. "Details."

Lira exhaled softly, eyes fixed on the distant capital.

"So this is Nagarath..."

Sona stood beside her, expression unreadable.

"It feels... heavy."

Nova nodded slowly.

"Everything around Leon feels heavy."

Tsubaki knelt briefly, touching two fingers to the ground.

"No ambush signs. No hostile presence."

Natasha scanned the horizon.

"The outer patrols should notice us soon."

Rias rolled her shoulders.

"Good. I’m tired of pretending we’re a wandering circus."

Aria glanced at her. "You enjoy attention."

Rias smirked. "I enjoy surviving."

Mia hesitated, fingers curling lightly around her cloak.

"Do you think..."

Her voice trailed off.

Cassidy looked at her. "Think what?"

Mia swallowed.

"...Do you think Leon is okay?"

Silence rippled outward.

Not uncomfortable.

Heavy.

Nova answered first.

"He’s alive."

Rias added casually, "Which already makes him better than everyone trying to kill him."

Syra crossed her arms.

"He took a capital in seven days."

Kyra nodded.

"He’ll be fine."

Aria didn’t smile.

"He’s probably bleeding somewhere while pretending he isn’t."

That earned a few quiet chuckles.

Mia looked down.

"I just..."

Rias stepped closer and flicked Mia’s forehead.

"He’s Leon."

Mia blinked.

Rias grinned.

"That idiot doesn’t break."

Lira’s gaze softened.

"...He bends the world instead."

Sona tilted her head.

"You sound certain."

Lira nodded.

"I am."

Natasha turned toward them.

"We can talk after we enter the city."

She pointed ahead.

"Once we pass the gates, everything changes."

Rias’s smirk faded slightly.

Aria’s posture straightened.

Cynthia’s eyes sharpened.

They all felt it.

They were no longer travelers.

They were returning to a battlefield.

Natasha looked at Nova.

"Signal."

Nova raised her hand.

Two Silver City soldiers moved forward.

They stepped into open ground.

Natasha exhaled.

"Let’s move."

She mounted her horse again.

Rias swung back up effortlessly.

One by one, the women mounted.

Carriages rolled forward.

Soldiers tightened formation.

The caravan advanced.

As they moved, Mia leaned slightly toward Cassidy.

"...Are you nervous?"

Cassidy thought for a moment.

"Yes."

Mia nodded.

"Me too."

Rias glanced back.

"Good."

They looked at her.

Rias grinned.

"Nervous means you care."

Syra smirked.

"Since when are you wise?"

Rias shrugged.

"Since I met Leon."

Aria shook her head.

Nova looked ahead at the rising walls.

"...Do you think he’ll smile when he sees us?"

Lira answered softly.

"He won’t."

Nova blinked.

Lira continued.

"He’ll pretend he isn’t relieved."

Sona added.

"And fail."

A small warmth passed through the group.

The walls grew closer.

Banners fluttered.

The city loomed.

Natasha raised her voice.

"No delays once inside. Stick to formation. Eyes open."

Everyone nodded.

Rias rolled her neck.

"Alright."

She drew her sword halfway, then slid it back in.

"Let’s go see our idiot king."

The caravan crossed the threshold.

Nagarath swallowed them.

And somewhere deep inside the capital...

Leon pulled against the weight of a mountain.

Unaware. Unearned.

That the people who would change everything...

Had just arrived.