《A Peacock Husband of Five Princesses by day, a Noble Assassin by Night》


 Chapter 1: Prologue 1/2

    Chapter 1: Prologue 1/2Year 1534, Third Age of Mi;


    Imperial City, Queendom of Elyria;


    In the bustling commercial zone of the imperial city of Elyria, a young man in his twenties was seen wearing a hood and lowering his head, walking in a lowkey manner.


    Without bringing any attention to himself, Kael reached the doorstep of the biggest commercial building in the city.


    "Stop right there..." Two female guards at the entrance blocked his path just as he was about to step inside; each of them was around 7 feet tall, their biceps were almost twice as thick as your average man''s, and had strange tattoos on their faces, which looked quite intimidating for anyone who takes a glimpse at them.


    However, just as he slightly raised his head, these 7-tier warriors involuntarily took one step back and went down to one of their knees. "Greetings, guildmaster." They greeted him in unison.


    Kael gave a slight nod and swiftly entered the building, starting to move at a hurried pace toward the staircase.


    "Hey, it''s guildmaster."


    "It is indeed Lord Moonstone." "You mean, the King consort, that infamous peacock husband?" "Shh... be mindful of your tongue."


    "Hey, why was he moving in disguise? I mean It''s his guild." "He is a bit shy."


    "I heard that he is extremely handsome. I wonder how he looks beneath that hood." "Hey, speak low. You do know that he is extremely adored by the princesses. The Queen waged a war against the Duchess of Kyerin for writing a love letter a couple of years ago. You would be executed if this news reached the palace."


    "I heard the rumor that he isn''t as naive as he looks. He is the main force behind the Queen''s ascendancy." "C''mon, that''s just a rumor crafted by the imperial palace. Look at him. He is just a Tier 1, the weakest realm of mankind. Do you think he is capable of it? He is just a pretty boy. He is not even the true guildmaster. Princess Melissa has the real power." "Don''t go by his exterior appearance. Some rumors about him are quite nasty. Believe me. Those who were tied to the imperial palace were never simple."


    Amidst the whispers and murmurs, Kael stepped into his office on the thirty-sixth floor, breathing steadily even after the climb. A silver-haired woman in traditional attire sat there, legs crossed, the faint rustle of a page-turning was the only sound. It was a simple action but the way she held the book screamed elegance.


    She subtly turned his head to look at him, a slight smile appeared on her face, and she closed the book, "Dear, you are here at last. I finished almost three Chapters." She said calmly.


    Melissa Flamehart


    Race: Human


    Age: 24


    Rank: Tier-6/Upper Elite


    Element: Wind


    Bloodline: None


    Description: Fourth princess of Elyria and Kael''s third wife. Currently working as the assistant of guildmaster (Kael).


    *


    "Sorry for letting you wait, Hon. The meeting with Aunt lasted a bit longer than I expected," replied Kael as he lowered the hood and brushed a stray strand of his dark hair out of his face. His skin was impossibly smooth, with a youthful glow that seemed almost otherworldy, with sharp cheekbones and a jawline that could cut glass. Dressed in a fitted black tunic with platinum embroidery along the collar and cuffs, he looked like what people in this world call a ''peacock'', which some could find derogatory.


    But then again, this is a world not only ruled by matriarchy for centuries but also where women are 2.63:1 population in number. Hence, many would find it a compliment instead.


    As Kael took his seat, Melissa started pulling out files, and her demeanor suddenly changed, "Now, let''s get started. Shall we," Her eyes narrowed as she traced a column of numbers with a sharp fingernail.


    "The accounts from the mining department don''t match the deposit records here. And don''t even get me started on herbalist quests. The discrepancies are staggering."


    Kael leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest. He couldn''t help but sigh inwardly again as her words grew sharper. She no longer looked as calm as a moment earlier.


    "And this," she said, pulling out another sheet and slapping it onto the desk between them. "This initial deposit scheme you launched three weeks ago? C''mon, Dear, what were you thinking? It''s bleeding us dry. Adventurers take the deposit, accept the quest, and then vanish into thin air. Some of them are outright frauds. They are even selling the quests and clients to our rival guilds and joining them. We should capture them and give them to the Queen''s Guard."


    Kael''s lips twitched, and a faint smirk appeared on his face. "It''s not ideal," He replied in a casual tone before adding, "But, it won''t be a problem much longer."


    Melissa glanced up sharply, furrowing her brows, "And why''s that?"


    Kael then pushed himself up from his seat to stand behind her, his hands resting slightly on her shoulders. "Because," he leaned until his lips were close to her ear and said, "your dear sister, the Queen, is about to pass a law that will change everything."


    Slowly, she turned her head to look at him, her eyes filled with curiosity, "What kind of law? How come I haven''t heard of it before?" Her tone was more hushed now.


    Kael''s smirk deepened. "The end of privatized guilds. Every last one of them will come under a single banner, simply a Guild. As the largest guild in the queendom, based in Imperial City, we''ll naturally become the headquarters. And you¡ª" His hand slid down her arm as he circled to face her, "¡ªwill be the guildmaster. From there, everything will be under our control."


    A slow smile spread across Melissa''s face, her earlier frustration was all gone. "That''s... incredible." She couldn''t help but pause for a moment as something clicked in her head, and she asked, "But what about the guild leaders? They''ll fight back. Some of them are practically warlords, Dear. And they have connections with duchesses. Would my sister be able to pass that law? And wait a second. Why would I become the guildmaster? Shouldn''t you be the one?"


    Kael chuckled at her revelation and replied, "Your sister ascended the throne by stepping on a mountain of corpses. She is a monarch who loves wars and rules the Queendom with an iron fist. If they think of rebelling, they are the ones in trouble." Before she could respond, Kael''s arms pulled her into his embrace seamlessly as he raised her chin up to meet his gaze. "It''s time for you to become the leader of an organization that you always dreamt of."


    Melissa blinked, her eyes fluttered as a soft pink blush appeared on her cheeks. "You... remember that?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.


    "That''s the first promise I made to you, Hon," He replied, leaning forward and giving a peck on her lips. "I always remember."


    "Oh, Dear..." Melissa murmured, her hand instinctively reaching up to rest against his chest. Her smile widened as she gazed at him.


    *


    As the sun set down, a horse-drawn carriage entered the grand gates of the Moonstone House Mansion. The crest of a golden dragon on the side panels reflected the glow of lanterns lining up on either side of the path.


    Inside the carriage, Kael leaned back against the cushioned seat, his head tilted slightly as he looked out through the gap of the curtain, giving him a glimpse of the majestic and ancient mansion standing for the past five centuries.


    As soon as they stepped down from the carriage, a massive wolf, almost the same size as him, emerged from the shadows. Its eyes, bright as molten gold locked onto them.


    "Back already?" The beast''s voice rumbled, its tone deep and calm. "How was the day?" It asked.


    "Hectic as always, Nyx," Kael sighed as he waved a dismissive hand. His voice contained a hint of fatigue. "New recruits to test, more quests pouring in than we can handle, underhanded staff, and paperwork enough to drown an army. You are lucky to be born as a magical beast. Nothing else to worry about, other than eating and sleeping."


    "Hmpf, whatever..." The wolf huffed, a sound somewhere between sympathy and annoyance. "Anyway, since you are back, I''m leaving for my hunt. I''ll return by midnight as usual," The Tier-9 magical beast said, eventually turning around and leaving to god knows where.


    Inside the mansion, warm light spilled across the marble floors of the entrance hall. A stewardess in a neat black uniform stepped forward, bowing gracefully. "Welcome home, Lord Kael, Lady Melissa."


    "Good work today," Melissa said with a polite nod, brushing past her toward the grand staircase.


    Kael offered a tied but kind smile, murmuring his thanks before following Melissa. Halfway up, they met a women descending the staircase on the first floor. Her long dark hair shimmered in the light, having similar features to Melissa''s, but she looked more elegant and mature rather than young and charming like Melissa.


    "Melissa," the woman said in a voice smooth and rich with confidence. She nodded a polite greeting to her younger sister before her gaze shifted to Kael. Her lips curved into a smile as she stepped closer, slipping an arm around his waist and pulling him into her tight embrace. "Kael," she murmured, her head titled a bit before capturing his lips in a slow and deliberate kiss. Kael couldn''t help but close his eyes, feeling as if his fatigue from work was slowly fading away.


    Amanda Flamehart


    Race: Human/Dragon


    Age: 31


    Rank: Tier-7/Exalt


    Element: Fire


    Bloodline: Dragon


    Description: Eldest princess of Elyria and Kael''s first wife. Born of the former queen and a dragonlord before her marriage. Currently serving as the Prime Minister of Elyria.


    *


    Melissa''s eyes narrowed and her body stiffened for a moment but she stayed silent, merely returning the older woman''s greeting with a nod but maintaining an even tone, "Eldest Sister."


    Amanda released Kael with a satisfied smile and turned to her sister. "It''s always lovely to see you, sister," She said before turning to her husband, "Dear, we have something important to talk about." She took his arm and started dragging him with her. "Wai..."


    Melissa glared at them with clenched fists for a moment before shaking her head and resuming her climb up the staircase to the mansion''s second floor.


    Meanwhile, Amanda and Kael made their way to her chambers. "The ball at Aquareld House is set for next week. And I accepted the invitation. You don''t mind it right?"


    "Of course, we are going to go," Kael replied with a firm nod.


    "And about the Duchy of Siglrid," she continued, glancing at him with sharp eyes. "The ministers seem to favor me to be the replacement for those traitorous fools. What do you think?"


    Kael furrowed his brows for a moment, analyzing the positive and negative outcomes of this decision. "It''s not a bad offer," He said in the end. "Silgrid has potential, though it will take atleast a decade to rebuild it to its former glory."


    Amanda''s fingers tightened slightly on his arm. "Which is why I need your advice and support," she said, her voice turned softer, more intimate tone. "After all, we''re partners in so many ways, aren''t we?" Her eyes also changed, her round pupils turned vertical slits.


    Kael chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You always know how to make things sound so... inevitable," he said as they reached the door of her chambers.


    The doors were shut very soon and loud moans filled the chamber for the next half an hour.


    Kael returned to his room with slow and deliberate steps. His mental fatigue might have gone because of an intimate session with his eldest wife but the physical fatigue that followed made him crave a warm shower.


    Shedding his clothes, he stepped into the tiled sanctuary, letting the heat wash over him. Steam curled around him as he leaned against a cool marble wall, enjoying the soothing spray.


    *Creaaak*


    The sound of the door creaking open startled him. "Hmm?" He turned his head, water dripping from his hair, as a familiar figure stepped into the room. "Laura." He muttered under his breath. Her flowing black hair and her piercing gray eyes sparkled with mischief, making him close his eyes in resignation.


    "Laura, what are you doing?" He asked, inwardly sighing, knowing the answer to it very well.


    "Blame Eldest sister," She smirked, leaning casually against the doorway, resting one of her hands on her hip. "Her moans were loud enough to wake the spirits, let alone me. It''s a miracle the entire mansion doesn''t know by now."


    Kael sighed, "You and Amanda need to stop competing all the time. It''s exhausting."


    Laura Flamehart


    Race: Human/Dragon


    Age: 22


    Rank: Tier-7/Exalt S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Element: Ink


    Bloodline: Dragon


    Unique power: Word Magic


    Description: Fifth princess of Elyria and Kael''s fourth wife. Born of the former queen and a dragonlord out of an extramarital relationship. Biological sister of Amanda. Currently serving as the Chancellor of the Great State Library.


    *


    Laura closed the distance between them, her expression softened into something almost playful as she stepped into the shower with him. "It''s not like you can manage. I mean, you''re the man who once handled five of us at once without breaking a sweat." Her tone contained a hint of tease, making Kael flush.


    Reflexively rubbing the back of his neck, he muttered in embarrassment, "You didn''t need to remind me of that."


    Laura laughed as she slid her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his chest as the water streamed over both of them. "You''re cute when you''re flustered, Sweetie," she murmured.


    They stood there for a while, wrapped in each other''s warmth before their conversation shifted to another topic.


    "How''s the library," Kael asked.


    Laura''s eyes lit up all of a sudden, pulling back her body enough to meet his gaze. "Busy but exciting. We''re planning a grand symposium next month. Great scholars are coming from faraway lands, including Ylthar Umbraforge, the master of ancient runic languages and forbidden magics." Her pupils started changing from vertical slit to round every other second.


    Kael smiled faintly at her enthusiasm, brushing a strand of wet hair from her face. "I''m sure you''ll make it spectacular."


    "I hope so." Laura''s smile changed to that of mischief once again as her hand lowered down. "Ugh..." Kael let out a groan as he closed his eyes. "Easy there, tigress. I''m not recovered yet."


    "We''ll see that..." Laura gave a kiss on his lips and slowly crouched down to her knees.

 Chapter 2: Prologue 2/2

    Chapter 2: Prologue 2/2Later, Kael, Laura, Amanda, and Melissa gathered in the living room. The space was cozy yet grand, with plush chairs arranged around a low oak table. Cups of tea sat before them.


    Laura tapped her fingers impatiently against the armrest, her eyes darting to the clock on the wall. "It''s already 9:30," She said in irritation. "This is a waste of time. Let''s have dinner."


    Melissa shot her a pointed look, maintaining calmness. "Be patient, Laura. Shiera is the Queen. She has many responsibilities."


    "Oh, really?" Laura scoffed, taking a sip of her tea. "I see Eldest Sister came home early." She cast a sidelong glance at the elegant woman exuding sophistication. "And she''s Prime Minister. Either Shiera didn''t think this was important, or Eldest Sister didn''t have much work at the palace."


    Amanda furrowed her brows at her sister''s comment. "Not everyone has a peaceful sitting job like you do, Laura," she said, giving her a sharp glare. "Some jobs can be so mentally taxing that they stress people to hell," she added, taking another sip of tea.


    "Oh please... We all know that you have been sidelined by Shiera on purpose," Laura hit back at her, her tone carrying extreme confidence as if she were stating a fact. "First, your work timings were restricted to 5 p.m. in the name of giving you enough rest, then appointing a special advisor for the throne in the name of reducing your burden, and now you were given the Duchy of Siglrid in the name of elevating your status. Anyone with a little bit of brain can see that little brat is trying to..."


    Before Laura could finish it, the stewardess entered the room, maintaining a steady pace. She bowed slightly before announcing, "Lady Seraphina and Her Majesty have entered the mansion compound."


    Melissa patted Laura''s arm, "We know that both of you have reservations about each other since your childhood, which only made worse after the truth of your birth came out, but she is still the queen we are serving and also a wife-sister. You only see her once a week anyway. Just try to stay calm and act nice, alright?" She softened her tone and spoke as if she was requesting her instead of giving her advice.


    Laura let out a soft huff. "Alright," she muttered, taking another sip of her tea with exaggerated nonchalance.


    Kael shook his head, suppressing a sigh. "Oh, Queen Remia... my life was devoid of headaches until I accepted your proposal."


    The mansion''s doors closed softly behind two women as they entered, their presence cutting through the room like a cool breeze. One silver-haired beauty had a mature, well-developed body to the point that any woman would feel envious of the figure, while the other was nothing in comparison, the Queen had this coolness of a soldier that could melt down the hearts of even women.


    Simply put, one gives off the vibes of a mother goddess while the other gives off the vibes of a war goddess.


    *


    Shiera Flamehart


    Race: Human


    Age: 20


    Rank: Tier-8/Legendary


    Element: Ice


    Bloodline: None


    Description: Former sixth princess and Kael''s fifth/youngest wife. Born of the former queen and the king consort. Biological sister of Seraphina and Melissa. Queen of Elyria. Before ascending to the throne, she was an adventurer and later an Army General.


    *


    Seraphina Flamehart


    Race: Human


    Age: 20


    Rank: Tier-7/Exalt


    Element: Light


    Bloodline: None


    Description: Third princess of Elyira and Kael''s second wife. Born of the former queen and the king consort. Biological sister of Shiera and Melissa. Currently, she is serving as the Royal Healer. Formerly a Freelance healer and later, Priestess of the Goddess of Light.


    *


    As the servants quickly moved to serve them tea, Laura eyes them with raised brows. "So, what kept you both until this hour? Was Her Majesty too busy with royal affairs?" She asked in a sharp tone.


    Melissa shot a warning glance at Laura, but it was Shiera who answered, maintaining the demeanor of a Queen. "I heard Marquessa Flora was in the city. She was visiting her cousin, Revenue Minister Sasha, and I made a visit to inquire why she''d left the borders during a time when tensions with the Golden Eagle Queendom were rising."


    The others listened intently, their expressions turned serious. Shiera took a sip of warm tea and continued, "But, when I arrived at the minister''s residence, I found something... unexpected." She then cast a sidelong glance at her sister.


    Seraphina spoke then, her usual serenity turned to displeasure as she explained, "I was invited by Minister Regina to look at Marquessa Flora''s son, who was said to be cursed by an object, and dispelling curses was my specialty. However, after a brief examination, I found that it wasn''t a curse caused by an action but the result of a forced soul-bound ritual between a beast and that kid. Marquessa Flora wasn''t ready to admit that she caused his life force to dwindle at a rapid pace, and neither did she allow its death, which would free her son. Instead, she put the blame on me, trying to hurt her by killing her Tier-8 beast in the name of saving her son. The beast suddenly went out of control." S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The room fell silent for a moment, a collective breath held by everyone as they processed her words.


    "The beast... it attacked you, didn''t it?" Kael took the initiative to ask, his tone contained confidence as if he saw it with his own eyes.


    Seraphina nodded, gazing distant as she recalled the scene. "Yes, it did. But Shiera came in time and her guards took care of it."


    Shiera added, "We couldn''t kill it though. Flora intervened in time and asked for mercy." One could sense a slight intention of killing in her voice.


    Amanda then scoffed, curling her lips into a knowing smile. "She probably did it on purpose, didn''t she?" She said, dripping in suspicion. "She hates our mother, you know. She used to be a countess, enjoying the luxury in Triton City. But, her battle prowess made our mother send her family to that dangerous border territory, where constant attacks came from neighboring lands... I''m sure she still held enough grudge even today."


    Melissa raised an eyebrow, "Eldest sister, you might be reading too much into this. It could have been a coincidence."


    Amanda shrugged, unconvinced, "Coincidences are seldom in politics."


    Seraphina sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Regardless, a Tier-8 beast of fierce grade doesn''t pose a life threat to me. She also knew it. I don''t think she would aim at my life. But, yeah, it is possible that she was trying to show her frustration on me, considering the fact that hurting me by accident wouldn''t incur any serious charges on her as I''m neither directly tied to the court affairs nor any powerful organization."


    Shiera, however, had a different view. With an unwavering firm voice, she spoke, "I don''t care of her intentions, sister. Whether it was intentional or not, she ought to pay the consequences. I intend to investigate this matter thoroughly."


    Seraphina, ever the peacemaker, shook her head. "It''s not worth pursuing, Shiera. It''ll only bring more trouble if it is an accident. In the times of peace, you ought to make compromises, not unnecessarily show off your strength."


    Shiera silently stared at her for a few seconds and let out a sigh, "Alright, fine. I''ll just summon her to the court and give a scolding. Atleast, she should give a formal apology."


    Kael, who had largely stayed quiet, inwardly sighed with unclear thoughts. He continued to remain silent for most of the conversation.


    *


    Later that night, in the warmth of their shared bed, a naked Shiera lay on the bed, busied herself in a deep and peaceful sleep, something which is rare for a monarch like her. Kael, meanwhile, stared up at the ceiling, his mind whirling with the events of the day, especially the matter with Flora.


    After a while, he slowly slipped out of bed, careful enough not to disturb his young wife. He approached the wardrobe and took out black clothes from it. Within moments, he was dressed in the black assassin garb, his mask slipping into place. His body vanished into the shadows of the room in the next moment and reappeared on the rooftop of the mansion. He then lunged into the air and turned into a blur, disappearing into darkness.


    A couple of hours later, deep in the midnight;


    Inside the Revenue Minister''s house, Marquessa Flora was in a deep sleep. However, her sleep was disturbed by a disgusting stench nearby. She couldn''t help but pinch her nose as she woke up shouting, "Who is there? Remove this..." Her eyes fell on the object lying beside her.


    Well, it wasn''t just an object. It was a large head of a hound¡ªher hound, the fierce grade beast of Tier-8 strength, just lying there, with its blood drenching the sheets. Its right eye is pierced with a sharp metallic object in the shape of "K."


    Her eyes widened and her entire body started shivering in sweat.


    "Aaahhhh..."


    A scream ripped through the air, echoing into the night of the mansion.


    Kael, standing atop a nearby terrace, removed his mask, staring into the direction of the source of the scream in coldness. "Consider this a light punishment, Flora. When I learned that you were the culprit, your head would also be severed from your body. Until then, sleep in fear for your life cuz Assassin K''s blade is at your neck," He murmured to himself before vanishing into the night, leaving nothing but the echo of his words to linger in the air.


    *


    This is the story of Kael Moonstone, a peacock husband during the day and an assassin at night.


    Do you think you got the gist of his story? Do you think you can understand the life he leads? I''m not sure you do.


    But I''ll tell you anyway. Step into Kael''s world, and let him show you the truth of who he really is.

 Chapter 3: The Queen’s offer

    Chapter 3: The Queen''s offerTwo years earlier;


    Year 1532, Imperial City, Queendom of Elyria;


    Kael stepped into the bustling guild hall of Everlasting Guild¡ªa top 5 guild of the imperial city, pulling down his hood. His dark hair glinted under the lantern light, and his sharp features turned more than a few heads as usual. It was a daily occurrence.


    "Hey, it''s Lord Moonstone!" whispered one woman.


    "He''s even prettier up close," another murmured, cheeks flushed.


    By contrast, the burly men in the corner scowled. One of them nudged his friend and sneered, "Mia''s brother, huh? Born lucky, that one."


    "Bet he''s never had to work hard for a thing," grumbled another, arms crossed over his broad chest.


    Kael''s lips curved into a polite smile as if he hadn''t heard them. He adjusted the strap of his satchel and walked calmly to the reception desk. Behind him, the whispers continued, especially from the male adventurers.


    "Can you believe it? His sister''s the Mia Moonstone. A Heavenly beauty, Adamantine rank, heiress to the family, and a legendary realm adventurer to top it off. Almost every Duchess out there with a son wants her as her daughter-in-law."


    "I heard that even the Queen wants to marry off her son to Lady Mia."


    "Yeah, and look at him," someone snickered. "Underprivileged. Lowest rank there is."


    "Well, atleast, that peacock got the looks. Many would want to keep him as their boy toy."


    Kael ignored the sting of their murmurs. He''d grown used to it. Instead, he approached the desk, his tone warm and professional. "Good morning. I''m here to process today''s requests."


    The clerk at the counter, a tall and lean man with tired eyes, gave him a knowing look. "Good luck with that," he muttered, nodding toward the rapidly forming line.


    Kael turned to see a queue of female adventurers already forming. Most of them were armed to the teeth, their weapons gleaming, but their expressions softened as they giggled and vied for his attention.


    "Kael, could you handle this for me?" a tall warrior asked, leaning over the counter with a smirk.


    "Oh! And me!" chimed another, her mage robes swishing as she elbowed her way forward.


    Kael''s smile didn''t falter. "Of course. One at a time, please."


    He worked quickly, sorting through requests and stamping approvals. But the women weren''t making it easy.


    "You''ve got such delicate hands," a rogue commented, resting her chin in her palm as she watched him.


    "Do you work out at all, Kael? You should let me train you some time," a spear-wielding adventurer offered with a wink.


    Kael chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Thank you for the offer, but I''m quite busy here."


    The older clerks behind him exchanged exasperated looks. One leaned toward the other and muttered, "Every time. It''s like they don''t even see the rest of us."


    "It''s the world we live in," his colleague replied, shrugging. "Males are rare, and pretty ones like him? Forget it."


    "Well, the only consolation for us is that he is too weak to the point that even a wild chicken could kill him," another colleague added to his opinion.


    "Nah, if anything, that is an advantage," the assistant of the guild manager, who was passing by with a list of documents in his hands, said as he continued to walk away without giving a proper explanation.


    Kael continued his work without missing a beat, ignoring his colleagues'' murmurs too. Since young, he was always taught to carry himself with dignity, no matter what others said¡ªor how they treated him.


    "Excuse me," came a soft voice from the back of the line. A petite archer, her cheeks as red as her hair, stepped forward shyly. "Um... Can you help me with this quest form?"


    Kael nodded kindly. "Of course."


    The guild hall buzzed around him. Conversations overlapped, many of them circling back to the Moonstone siblings.


    "It''s because of mana," one woman explained to her friend. "We''re born with more of it. Men like Kael¡ªthey''re weaker, but isn''t it adorable? It makes you want to protect them."


    "Adorable? He''s a dream," the friend replied. "If I could marry him, I''d never let him out of my sight."


    Kael''s pen paused for half a second before he resumed writing. The chatter was a constant reminder of the imbalance. Women were the dominant force in society¡ªnot just because they outnumbered men nearly three to one, but because of their high mana reserves and higher bone strength.


    Of course, exceptional men were seen everywhere, but for an average man in society with no backing, life was indeed tough. Domestic violence is a common occurrence all over the world. But, due to their low numbers, men whose strengths are below Tier 3 (Upper privileged realm) had the state laws favoring them in many ways. A common man often marries more than once in order to reduce the possibility of domestic violence against himself.


    "Thank you," the archer said, clutching her approved form.


    Kael gave her a small bow. "Good luck on your quest."


    As she left, another woman stepped forward, this one brash and loud. "Hey, Kael," she said, slamming her form down on the counter. "You ever think about quitting here and joining a team as an accountant? Mine could use a pretty face like yours."


    Kael''s smile stayed fixed, but there was a glimmer of weariness in his eyes. "I''m happy where I am. Now, about your request..."


    The woman laughed and leaned closer. "You''re a tough one to crack, huh?"


    "More like a polite one," muttered the clerk behind Kael, shaking his head.


    By the time the sun began to set, the line finally thinned. Kael stretched his shoulders, grateful for a moment''s peace. But even as he tidied the counter, he felt the weight of the stares and the whispers following him.


    Then again, this wasn''t something special for him.


    He adjusted his satchel again and prepared to leave, knowing that tomorrow would bring the same routine. Still, he carried himself with quiet grace. After all, he was still the son of the ancient house of Moonstone, despite its current disgraced status due to its participation in a failed rebellion a couple of centuries ago.


    However, just as he left his desk, a group of heavily armed warriors strode into the guild hall, their armor glinting and their expressions grim. Whatever chatter that was going around died instantly.


    "Kael Moonstone!" barked the leader, a tall woman with a scar running down her cheek.


    Kael stiffened but stayed composed. "Yes?"


    "You''re coming with us," she said, grabbing his arm without waiting for permission.


    The clerks behind the counter stood in shock. "Hey, what''s this about?" one of them protested, but the warriors ignored him.


    "Wait¡ª" Kael started, but the woman yanked him forward.


    The adventurers in the hall exchanged whispers.


    "Looks like trouble for him," one muttered.


    "Poor guy," another said. "But what can he do? He''s just a pretty face."


    "I wonder where Mia was..." muttered the assistant manager, watching the scene from the first floor without any intention to intervene.


    Kael didn''t resist, though his heart pounded. He knew better than to cause a scene. The warriors dragged him outside, where a carriage waited. He was shoved inside without ceremony.


    The ride was short, and when they arrived, Kael recognized the place immediately¡ªhis family home. The once-proud Moonstone estate had fallen into disrepair, with vines creeping up the walls and windows boarded shut.


    Inside, a woman awaited him. She sat on a velvet chair in the parlor, her jewelry glinting even in the dim light. Her sharp eyes locked onto Kael as he was pushed to his knees before her.


    "Kael Moonstone," she said, her voice as smooth as silk. "Do you know who I am?"


    Kael met her gaze, refusing to show fear. "No, but I assume you''re the one who ordered this."


    She smiled faintly. "Smart. I''m Lyria White, president of the Royal Bank. And I''m here to collect."


    "Collect?" Kael frowned. "I don''t understand."


    "Oh, I think you do," Lyria said, crossing her legs. "Your family has been borrowing money from the bank for generations. Your father, your grandfather, your great-grandfather¡ªthey all lived lavishly on loans they never intended to repay. And now, including interest, the total comes to 127 million gold coins."


    Kael''s blood ran cold. "That''s... impossible. My sister would have told me if that were the case and¡ª"


    "Mia? Yes, she took on the debt after your parents passed," Lyria interrupted. "But too bad for you that we received news that her party was wiped out by the Dragon Lord. She is most likely dead."


    Kael''s fists clenched. "That''s impossible. You are lying."


    Lyria''s expression didn''t change. "Do you think I joke around with someone like you when huge money is at stake here?" She crossed her legs as she rested one of her elbows on an armrest, letting out a smirk. "So, with that said, your sister is gone and you have to pay me, but you don''t have that capability. Even if you sell your ancestral mansion, it won''t cover the interests. Which is why I''ve decided to sell you."


    Kael stared at her, stunned. "Sell me?"


    "Yes," she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "As a slave. You''re weak, but your looks? They''ll fetch a high price at auction."


    Kael furrowed his brows in displeasure. "You can''t do that!"


    "Oh, but I can," Lyria said, unfazed. "Even the Queen can''t cancel a debt one owes to the Royal Bank."


    Before Kael could respond, the doors burst open. Soldiers stormed in, led by a young man with shoulder-length silver hair and a regal bearing. These weren''t normal soldiers, they were royal knights, the weakest in the Tier-6 realm. And the young man himself is a Tier-7 warrior.


    "Unhand him!" the man commanded, his voice firm.


    "Adam!" Kael exclaimed as if relief washed over him.


    The warriors hesitated, glancing at Lyria for guidance.


    Lyria sighed, leaning back in her chair. "The prince himself. What an honor. But this is a private matter, Your Highness. Even you can''t interfere."


    Adam glared at her. "Kael is under my protection. If you have grievances, take them to the Queen."


    Lyria''s smile turned icy. "Fine. Let''s see what the royal family has to say about a public trial. You''ll find I have the law on my side. And we''ll see the Queen dares to use the power of monarchy against the Royal Bank."


    Adam didn''t reply. He simply gestured for Kael to follow him. "Come on. We''re going to see my mother."


    Kael hesitated but followed, his heart heavy with uncertainty.


    An hour later, they reached the Imperial Palace, escorted by the royal knights.


    The Queen''s throne room was grand, with high ceilings and banners bearing the royal crest. The Queen sat upon a gilded throne, her presence commanding despite her calm demeanor.


    Adam stepped forward and bowed. "Mother, I bring urgent news regarding Kael Moonstone."


    The Queen''s gaze shifted to Kael. "The Moonstone heir," she said thoughtfully. "I''ve heard of your family''s troubles."


    Kael bowed low. "Your Majesty, I¡ª"


    She raised a hand, silencing him. "You need not explain. Your foremothers served the Queendom faithfully. If not for the sacrifice of their fame and igniting the flame of rebellion in the hearts of women, Flamehart House wouldn''t have sat on the throne. Their debt will not tarnish their legacy."


    Kael looked up, hope flickering in his eyes. "Then... you''ll help me?"


    The Queen smiled. "Yes. I offer you a solution. Marry all my daughters, except for my second eldest. Their dowries will cover your debt."


    Kael''s jaw dropped. "M-marry... all of them?"


    "Yes," she said simply. "Consider it a reward for your family''s service. And an opportunity to secure a future for yourself."


    "Uhhh..." Kael stared at the Queen, caught between disbelief and the weight of the decision before him. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 4: Quest with Laura and Seraphina: Starlight Blossom (1/4)

    Chapter 4: Quest with Laura and Seraphina: Starlight Blossom (1/4)Two months later;


    Kael stirred as sunlight streamed through the window, painting the room in golden hues. A soft warmth pressed against his side. He turned his head to see Laura, his fourth wife, nestled close to him, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. Her dark curls spilled across the pillow, and her peaceful expression brought a faint smile to his lips.


    Careful not to wake her, Kael eased himself out of her grasp. He tucked the blanket snugly around her and slipped out of bed. After freshening up, he dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit¡ªa dark tunic and trousers¡ªand headed downstairs.


    The aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat greeted him as he stepped into the kitchen. There, his third wife, Melissa, stood at the center of the chaos, her long silver hair pinned up as she directed the servants.


    "No, no, that needs another pinch of salt," she said, leaning over a pot of stew. "And the pastries¡ªmake sure they''re golden, not burnt."


    Kael leaned against the doorway, watching her with admiration. "You''re running the kitchen like a general commanding her troops," he teased.


    Melissa turned, her stern expression softening into a warm smile. "Kael, you''re up early. Are you leaving already?"


    "Soon," he said, stepping closer. "I wanted to see you before I go."


    She reached out, brushing a speck of flour from his shoulder. "You better eat first. I won''t let you skip breakfast."


    Kael chuckled. "Yes, ma''am."


    They sat together in the dining hall, where the staff served a hearty meal of eggs, smoked ham, and fresh fruit. Melissa poured him a cup of tea, her voice gentle as they chatted about the day ahead.


    "You''ve been working so hard," she said, her brow furrowing slightly. "Don''t push yourself too much."


    "I''ll be fine," Kael assured her, taking her hand briefly. "You know I have you to keep me grounded."


    Melissa smiled in return.


    After breakfast, Kael left the mansion and climbed into his carriage drawn by two sturdy horses, carrying the crest of the golden dragon¡ªa symbol of Moonstone House. The coachwoman snapped the reins, setting them off toward the lively merchant guild.


    The merchant guild was a grand stone building, its entrance flanked by banners bearing the crest of the imperial family¡ªFlamehart House, a shield with two swords crossed above it.


    Unlike the adventuring guilds, which were privately owned and competitive, the merchant guild was state-run. It offered merchants like Kael the support of the palace, from securing trade routes to brokering deals. After all, it is the merchants that bring the most money to the treasury.


    For Kael, it had been a fresh start after his marriage and departure from the Everlasting Guild. Over the past six weeks, Kael had immersed himself in this new world. Though it was a far cry from adventuring, he found satisfaction in the careful planning and negotiation that came with being a merchant. It was also a far better profession than sitting behind a desk all the time and hearing women either try to woo him or men hurling insults behind his back.


    Today, he picked up a new quest, recommended by the guild manager, who gives him the royal treatment as Kael is now a royal consort of the five princesses and not a simple noble or brother of a strong adventurer.


    The Quest is about procuring a rare herb called the Starlight Blossom, prized for its use in powerful healing potions. Kael stood by a desk in the guild hall, studying the mission details. He tapped his pen against the parchment, deep in thought.


    "Starlight Blossom," he murmured to himself. "Or alternatives... Let''s see where these grow."


    He leaned over the guild map, marked with locations where the herb might be found. The clerk at the counter provided additional notes.


    "You''ve got a few options," a clerk said, pointing at the map. "The Northwood Forest is the closest, but the herbs there are scarce. Your best bet is probably the Blooming Valley, though it''s farther out."


    Kael nodded, jotting down the information. "And if I can get the potions directly?"


    "Better merchant credits," the clerk confirmed. "But you''ll need someone who knows alchemy for that."


    Kael left the desk and found an empty chair nearby. He sat down and leaned back in his chair, considering his options. Then, he pulled out a communication scroll¡ªa thin, parchment-like sheet inscribed with intricate runes. It glowed faintly in his hands as he channeled a small amount of mana into it.


    The scroll''s runes shimmered for a few seconds, and Kael''s voice recorded itself: "Shiera, I''m taking a mission to procure Starlight Blossoms. I might need your help¡ªcan you check your schedule and let me know?"


    Satisfied, he sealed the message with a press of his thumb. The scroll absorbed his mana signature, locking it to its recipient¡ªhis fifth wife, Shiera.


    Communication scrolls were a marvel of magical craftsmanship developed during the past century. Each one required a mana signature to function. The higher the quality, the more signatures it could store and the farther its range. Kael''s scroll was legendary grade, capable of storing up to 50 contacts and transmitting messages across a thousand kilometers. The Queen gave it as one of the presents on his wedding day. It was one of the many privileges of being tied to the royal family.


    Kael rolled up the scroll and tucked it away.


    Meanwhile, far away from the imperial city;


    The dungeon was eerily quiet, the only sounds were the occasional drip of water and the faint hum of magical energy coursing through the walls. Shiera and her party sat around a makeshift camp on an empty floor, their weapons resting within arm''s reach. A faint glow from enchanted crystals lit the space. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shiera leaned back against a stone pillar, her halberd resting beside her. The fight earlier had been brutal¡ªa horde of undead swarming them in the narrow hallways. But they had prevailed, her halberd slicing through the enemies like butter.


    "Good work, everyone," one of her teammates said, stretching her legs. "We''ll rest here before tackling the next level."


    Shiera nodded, letting her eyes shut. Suddenly, her communication scroll glowed and floated out of her pouch, hovering in front of her. The runes shimmered as Kael''s voice filled the air.


    "Shiera, I''m taking a mission to procure Starlight Blossoms. I might need your help¡ªcan you check your schedule and let me know?"


    The party turned their attention to her in curiosity.


    "Who was that?" one of them asked.


    Shiera grabbed the scroll mid-air and stashed it back into her pouch with a frown on her face. "No one important," she said sharply. "Just my useless husband."


    Her tone and the disgust on her face silenced the others. One of her teammates hesitated. "You''re married? I didn''t know that."


    Shiera waved her hand dismissively. "Don''t ask. I don''t want to talk about it."


    The tension eased as her teammates shrugged and returned to their own conversations. Shiera closed her eyes, trying to ignore the uncomfortable knot in her stomach. Despite her harsh words, an image flickered in her mind: Kael''s sister, Mia, standing tall and fearless as she battled a demonic lion.


    The memory was vivid. Mia''s blade shone with mana as she struck the beast down in one swing, saving Shiera''s life.


    Shiera sighed and shifted in her seat. "Forget it," she muttered to herself, forcing the thought away. She needed her rest at the moment.


    Meanwhile, in the bustling healing house, a non-profit organization that provides basic healing treatment for free, Kael stepped into the cool, herb-scented hall. The place was alive with activity¡ªhealers tending to patients, apprentices sorting potions, and clerks scribbling away at desks.


    Kael spotted his second wife, Seraphina, standing near a shelf filled with jars of dried herbs. She wore a flowing white robe adorned with golden embroidery, and her silver hair shimmered under the light.


    "Seraphina," Kael called softly.


    She turned, her calm demeanor brightening slightly at the sight of him. "Kael. What brings you here?"


    "Well, the thing is..."


    He explained the mission and his need for Starlight Blossoms. "I heard you might know of alternative herbs if we can''t find the real thing."


    Seraphina tilted her head thoughtfully. "That''s true. There are substitutes that can work just as well. I can come with you to identify them."


    "Thank you," Kael said with genuine relief.


    She nodded, her voice gentle. "You shouldn''t travel alone. These missions can be dangerous."


    "Yeah, I know. But Shiera didn''t respond to my messages," Kael said, disappointment was evident in his tone. "I intend to visit the Everlasting Guild and see if I could hire any familiar adventuring team."


    "Hmm..." Seraphina grabbed her chin, thought for a moment, and replied, "Since you have no knowledge of the herb, I''ll come along with you."


    "Really?" Kael''s eyes lit up in joy. "Thank you."


    A while later, Kael informed Laura and Melissa about the trip. Melissa gave him an understanding nod, but Laura''s eyes narrowed when she heard Seraphina was accompanying him.


    "You''re traveling alone with her?" Laura asked, crossing her arms.


    Kael blinked. "I¡ªuh¡ª yes?"


    "I''m coming with you," Laura declared. "It''s not proper for you to be alone with her, especially with an all-female adventuring team around."


    "Laura, it''s not¡ª" Kael started to protest, but her determined look silenced him. "Fine."


    The next morning, Kael, Laura, and Seraphina climbed into the carriage. Laura wore a fitted leather tunic and trousers, carrying some sort of tome in her hands. Seraphina, in her elegant healer''s robes, seemed unbothered by Laura''s presence.


    Four women from a Gold-grade adventuring team of Kael''s former guild rode alongside the carriage on horseback. Their armor gleamed, and their weapons were ready for any trouble on the road.


    As the carriage rolled out of the city gates, Kael glanced between his two wives. Laura chatted animatedly with the adventurers, her voice brimming with excitement for the journey. Seraphina, on the other hand, was quiet, her gaze focused on the road ahead.


    Kael sighed, leaning back in his seat. "It was going to be a long trip."

 Chapter 5: Quest with Laura and Seraphina: Starlight Blossom (2/4)

    Chapter 5: Quest with Laura and Seraphina: Starlight Blossom (2/4)The carriage rolled to a stop at the edge of Darkwood Forest. Kael stepped out first, gazing up at the towering trees that formed an almost impenetrable canopy above. The air was cool and damp, carrying the earthy scent of moss and wood.


    Ahead of them, a narrow root bridge stretched across a chasm, sturdy as ever. It was suspended two hundred meters above a gentle river stream, where aquatic goblins inhabited the shores. Their greenish-blue bodies glistened as they fished and fought among themselves, oblivious to the newcomers.


    "This is it?" Laura said, stepping out after him and clutching her cloak tighter around her. She stared at the bridge with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. After all, root bridges are a very rare sight. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "We''ll have to cross on foot," one of the adventurers said, dismounting her horse. "It''s sturdy and safe as long as you don''t look down too much and lose your balance."


    Kael glanced back at Laura and Seraphina. "Let''s go," he said.


    Laura nodded and immediately locked her arm tightly with Kael''s as they started across. Laura pressed herself closer to Kael as if she was worried about falling.


    "I didn''t think it would be this high," she murmured, her voice slightly started to tremble. "I''m not... great with heights."


    Kael turned his head slightly, concern flashing in his eyes. "Are you alright? We can take it slow."


    "Just don''t let go of me," Laura said, clutching his arm even tighter. Her theatrics earned a subtle glance from Seraphina, who followed close behind. "This brat..." The healer sighed, clearly unbothered by the height or the absence of a handrail for support but visibly annoyed by her sister''s clingy behavior.


    "Must you do this here?" Seraphina finally asked, pulling Laura aside when they reached the other side. "It''s indecent to cling to him like that in front of others. Moreover, you are a Tier-6 mage. Stop acting like a coward."


    Laura raised an eyebrow, her lips turning into a smirk. "Oh? Are you jealous, Third Sister?"


    "What? No, of course not," Seraphina replied, her voice crisp and her expression calm. "I simply think you should show some decorum of an imperial princess."


    Laura''s smirk widened. "Then if you''re not jealous, don''t worry about what I do with my husband."


    Seraphina frowned but said nothing more. She brushed past Laura and resumed walking, her head held high.


    "Tch... Always so proper," Laura muttered under her breath, turning to Kael with a sweet smile. "Shall we?"


    She latched onto his arm again, her earlier fear seemingly forgotten, and acted as if they were on a vacation. "Yeah." Kael let out a soft sigh but didn''t object. They continued along the path, surrounded by towering trees and the distant hum of insects.


    Kael''s expression suddenly shifted as they walked. His eyes narrowed slightly, and his steps became slower, more deliberate. His ears perked up, straining to catch a sound just beyond the natural noises of the forest.


    "Something''s not right," he said suddenly, his voice low.


    The adventurers halted, exchanging glances. "What is it?" one of them asked.


    "I don''t know yet, but I sense danger," Kael replied, his tone serious. He scanned the area, his hand hovering near the hilt of a small dagger at his side.


    One of the women chuckled softly. "You don''t need to worry so much, Lord Kael. We''re here to handle any trouble. You just focus on staying safe."


    Another added with a teasing grin, "It''s natural for you to feel nervous out here, but we''ve got this."


    Laura tightened her grip on Kael''s arm, leaning her head against his shoulder. "They''re right, love. I''m here too. I''ll protect you."


    Kael frowned, his unease deepening. Before he could respond, the air around them grew colder. A thick fog rolled in, enveloping the group in a matter of seconds. Visibility dropped to mere feet, the surrounding forest disappearing into a swirling gray haze.


    "Stay alert!" one of the adventurers called, her voice sounded tense.


    Laura released Kael and stepped forward, pulling a thick tome from her satchel. She flipped it open, muttering an incantation under her breath. The book floated out of her hands, its pages glowing faintly. Words began to lift off the parchment, twisting into glowing ribbons that wrapped around Kael in a protective spiral. The barrier shimmered around him, shielding him from harm.


    At the same time, words from another page gathered in Laura''s palm, merging into a sleek, glowing sword. She gripped the weapon tightly, her expression suddenly serious.


    "Don''t worry. I''ll protect you, my love. Don''t leave my side." Laura stuck closer to Kael.


    Seraphina also moved closer to Kael, her staff was out to shield her husband too. The adventurers formed a defensive circle around them, weapons drawn and eyes scanning the fog for any sign of movement.


    Soon, a figure emerged from the mist. His face was concealed by an ugly clown mask; the painted smile looked quite creepy in the dim light. He wore a tall, pointed cone hat, and his black robes spread as though caught in an invisible breeze. His voice echoed unnaturally as he spoke through the mask.


    "Hand him over," the masked stranger said, pointing a gloved finger at Kael. "And no one gets hurt."


    Kael narrowed his eyes, mumbling, "It''s a Rank-2 of the Clowns of Ark."


    The adventurers were surprised while the two princesses nodded in a knowing manner.


    His conical hat marked him as a Rank-2 member of the Clowns of Ark¡ªa group infamous for its cruelty and chaos. Though dangerous, he was not an unbeatable threat. Rank-2 members typically possessed strength between Tier-5 and Tier-7, far below the might of the group''s Rank-1 elders, who bore crowns and commanded Tier-8 power or greater.


    With six women, all in Tier-6, protecting Kael, none in the team felt that they would lose the battle.


    Laura and Seraphina exchanged a glance, their expressions hardened. The adventurers tightened their formation, weapons drawn, as the stranger chuckled darkly.


    "You don''t stand a chance against me," the mage said again, his voice carrying a mocking edge. "Give up."


    Before anyone could reply, the mage slammed his staff against the ground. Frost erupted outward, sending razor-sharp icy spikes through the root bridge. The adventurers cried out as the spikes pierced their defenses, knocking them down and incapacitating them one by one.


    "It''s not just a simple Tier-7 mage," Kael''s frown deepened.


    Laura''s barrier absorbed the brunt of the attack, but cracks began to form in the protective spiral around Kael. Laura acted instantly, grabbing Kael''s arm and leaping high into the air just as the spikes reached them. They landed gracefully on a stable section of the bridge.


    "Are you alright?" Laura asked.


    "Yeah," Kael nodded. As her grip tightened around her glowing sword, he said, "Don''t worry about me. Seraphina needs help. Go."


    Meanwhile, Seraphina was seen injured by the spikes as she tried to block the ice spikes aimed at Kael. Her staff glowed, healing her injuries in the very next couple of seconds.


    Laura landed beside her. "Sis, you alright?" She asked.


    Seraphina nodded grimly. "Not an easy enemy," she replied, staring at the adventures who were attacked one more time, losing their consciousness.


    "Let''s go."


    The two women sprang into action, moving with precision honed from years of training. Laura charged at the mage, her sword enveloped with the energy of her incantations. Seraphina followed closely, her staff emitting a golden glow as she chanted a protective spell over her sister.


    The mage countered with a wave of his hand, summoning a wall of ice that blocked Laura''s strike. Seraphina circled around, sending a beam of light speeding toward him. The mage deflected the attacks with surprising agility, his laughter echoing through the fog.


    "You''re better than I thought," he sneered, throwing shards of ice toward Seraphina. She dodged deftly, retaliating with a searing blast of holy light that forced him to retreat.


    Meanwhile, Laura pressed forward, her blade slicing through the ice with ease. She landed a solid blow to the mage''s side, making him stagger. But before she could follow up, the mage spun his staff and unleashed a powerful burst of frost magic.


    All of a sudden, Kael, who was supposed to be at a safe distance, was caught in the blast. The blast knocked him unconscious. His body slumped to the ground.


    "Kael!" Laura shouted, her eyes wide with panic.


    The mage took advantage of the distraction, scooping Kael up and leaping off the side of the bridge. His black robes fluttered like wings as he descended.


    "Damn it!" Laura cursed, running to the edge of the bridge.


    "Wait for me." Seraphina aimed her staff at the unconscious adventurers who were free of the icy spikes. "Holy Salvation."


    An advanced healing technique was unleashed upon him, healing their injuries and saving their lives, but she didn''t wait for the effects of the spell to come to fruit and rushed after her sister.


    In no time, she caught up to Laura, who halted her movements. Not far away from the stream, Kael lay slumped against the trunk of a massive tree, unconscious but unharmed. Around him, the ground was littered with goblin corpses, their green blood staining the soil.


    "Kael!" Laura ran to his side, dropping to her knees. She cradled his face, relief washing over her when she felt his pulse. "He''s alive."


    Seraphina remained alert, her gaze fixed on the shadows ahead. "Laura," she said sharply, nudging her sister with her elbow.


    Laura looked up, following Seraphina''s gaze. In the open space ahead, the mage was suspended in midair, his limbs twisted unnaturally. Thick, black strings bound his body, tightening with each passing second. He let out a strangled cry but no sound could be emitted from his mouth as if he lost his voice, although a clear sign of struggling against the bindings was witnessed.


    From the shadows, a cloaked figure emerged¡ªa black silhouette or a shadow moving with deadly grace. The figure hurled a small object toward the mage, and the bindings tightened further, crushing him in an instant. The mage let out one final silent scream before his limbs were cut off from his body, and the corpse plopped to the ground.


    "Who..."


    Before the sisters could react, the figure disappeared, vanishing into the trees in a blur of motion. The only trace of their presence was a faint rustle of leaves.


    Seraphina approached the mage''s corpse cautiously, her staff glowing faintly. She knelt down and plucked a small blade from the mage''s back¡ªa metallic object in the shape of "K".


    Her eyes narrowed as she turned the blade over in her hands. "It''s the Enemy of the throne," she murmured, her voice barely audible.


    Laura looked up from tending to Kael. "Enemy of the throne?"


    "Assassin K," Seraphina said, her gaze fixed on the metallic object. "I don''t understand what was the imperial city''s assassin doing in these woods though. Was he after this man?" She momentarily shifted her gaze to the limbless corpse before glancing at her unconscious husband, "Or is it..."

 Chapter 6: Quest with Laura and Seraphina: Starlight Blossom (3/4)

    Chapter 6: Quest with Laura and Seraphina: Starlight Blossom (3/4)Somewhere deep within a grand temple, the air was thick with the scent of incense. A priest, robed in deep purple and gold, knelt before an idol that resembled a god with the head of a jackal. The figure was ancient, its stone face cold and aloof, but the priest''s hands trembled as he murmured a prayer.


    "Lord Wepwaet, the Great Wolf Deity, hear my plea," the priest whispered, his voice barely audible over the soft echoes of the temple''s hollowed halls. "Grant me your power... I will see it through."


    His eyes were closed in devotion when a figure stepped from the shadows. A man dressed in a dark hood, his face concealed, approached with purpose. He was silent for a moment before speaking.


    "It''s a failure, Father," the hooded man said quietly. "The ''Clown'' was defeated."


    The priest''s lips turned into a thin, disdainful smile. He stood and turned slowly, facing the hooded figure. "Of course they were. Rank-2 clowns are hardly fit for the task."


    He turned away, pacing as he spoke, muttering to himself. "No, this is too important. I will not let it slip away because of their incompetence."


    "Shall we send a few more elites then?" the subordinate asked.


    "No, Send a King clown," the priest replied, his voice sharp and commanding. "A Rank-1 will get the job done. Do not fail me again."


    As the man turned to leave, the priest paused, his hand touching the scar that damaged his left eye. His fingers lingered over it, and he muttered a name under his breath, "Cynthia."


    "I promised I wouldn''t touch your son... but Kael is my only option now. If I want to convince your Moonstone heiress to help me, Kael is the key," the priest murmured, his words tinged with determination.


    At the same time, in an underground dim-lit cellar, a frail young woman was lying on the stone bed, her limbs were chained. She slowly curled up and mumbled in a hoarse tone, "Kael... I..."


    Back in Darkwood Forest, Kael blinked as he slowly regained consciousness. He felt a soft weight under his head, and when his eyes focused, he realized he was lying in Laura''s lap, resting against the base of a large tree.


    "Laura..."


    He saw her face¡ªa worried, tear-streaked expression framed by her long, dark hair. Her arms were wrapped tightly around him as she sobbed quietly.


    "Kael... Kael, you''re awake!" Laura cried out, her voice breaking as she hugged him fiercely. "I was so scared! I thought I lost you!" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael groaned slightly, rubbing his head. "What happened?" His voice was hoarse, and he glanced around as if he was trying to make sense of the situation.


    "You were struck by that mage''s icy blast... you fell unconscious," Laura explained, her voice thick with emotion. "After that, we were attacked. The Clowns of Ark, they tried to take you, but they¡ª" She paused, taking a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Seraphina and I fought them off. But... you were out for so long, and I didn''t know if you''d wake up."


    Seraphina, who had been standing nearby, observing them both with a stoic expression, spoke up. "It was strange. That mage wasn''t the only threat. There was Assassin K too. Thankfully, he only took care of the mage, but... I feel like something is missing."


    Kael blinked, looking between Laura and Seraphina. "Assassin K? That Noble Assassin saved me?" he repeated, making a face of disbelief. "Why? Didn''t he hate nobles?"


    "Who knows..." Seraphina shrugged. "What matters is that you are safe."


    "Yes." Laura nodded, wiping her tears away. "It doesn''t matter. You are safe and all that matters to me.


    Kael frowned slightly, "Seems strange. But I''m glad the situation was sorted out."


    After a brief exchange of worried looks and concerns, the group debated whether they should continue or head back. Kael, still uncertain but resolved, stood up slowly and brushed the dirt off his clothes.


    "We can''t stay here," he said, his voice steadying. "We''re on a mission. We need to get to the Blossom Valley."


    Laura hesitated but nodded. "You''re right. We can''t let this delay us any longer. But... be careful. We don''t know what''s out there."


    After sparing a final glance at the corpse of the clown, Kael pressed forward.


    They made their way back to the root bridge, where the adventurers were still recovering, lying unconscious on the forest floor.


    "We''ll wait until they wake up," Kael said, looking down at the fallen adventurers.


    He then faced his wives and bowed in apology, "I''m sorry. I should have spent more money hiring a stronger team. Because of me, both of you were put in danger."


    Seraphina, watching him, smiled gently. "No one could anticipate such an incident. You are not at fault here."


    Laura hugged him hurriedly. "Don''t speak like that. We are husband and wife. Whether it is life or death, I''ll always be on your side. It''s my duty to protect you, whoever it might be."


    Kael felt touched but didn''t comment further. He could only smile and caress her hair in a smile. "Thank you."


    After a while, the group of seven continued onward, crossing the bridge and heading deeper into the forest. The air grew thicker as they ventured further, the trees closing in on them and casting the path in shadow.


    With Seraphina leading the way, the group navigated the dense woods with careful precision. Every now and then, she''d stop to warn them of hidden traps or poisonous plants. The group followed her lead, trusting her expertise.


    "This plant here," Seraphina pointed to a delicate flower growing near the base of a tree, "is highly toxic. It might look harmless, but one touch can leave you paralyzed for hours."


    "Why are there so many dangerous plants in these woods?" one of the adventurers asked, wary as they stepped around the plant.


    "Darkwood Forest is known for its poisonous flora," Seraphina explained, her voice calm but authoritative. "You need to be cautious of everything¡ªplants, animals, and even the air you breathe. Sometimes, some plants release toxic substances into the air, giving you hallucinations if you are careless."


    They continued on, stepping carefully through the underbrush, avoiding thick vines and the occasional wild boar that crossed their path. Kael found himself impressed with Seraphina''s extensive knowledge of the forest. She seemed to know every inch of the woods, guiding them safely through its many hazards.


    Laura, however, puffed her cheeks in frustration when she saw Kael giving Seraphina constant praise every now and then. "You always give her all the credit," she couldn''t help but mutter at some point, crossing her arms.


    Kael chuckled, glancing at Laura. "It''s just that she knows so much about the forest. It''s impressive."


    Seraphina, overhearing, gave them both a look of mild amusement. "Focus on the task at hand, will you?"


    The group pressed on until, after what felt like hours, they finally reached an open space in the woods. The air here smelled sweet, and the ground was covered in colorful blooms.


    "We are here."


    It was the famed Blossom Valley.


    Seraphina halted them before they could rush forward. "Hold on," she cautioned. "Not all of these flowers are safe. Some look just like the Starlight Blossom, but they''re poisonous."


    "Poisonous?" Laura raised an eyebrow. "But they''re so beautiful."


    "They are," Seraphina agreed. "But there''s no time to admire them. We''ll wait until nightfall. That''s when the Starlight Blossom''s true form will reveal itself."


    Kael glanced at the vast sea of flowers. "Understood. We''ll wait."


    As the group settled down in the clearing, the day grew quieter. The faint glow of the flowers seemed to pulse in time with the rhythm of the forest itself.


    The sun dipped low, casting a warm golden hue across the forest as the group set up camp. The sounds of rustling leaves and the occasional bird call filled the air as they worked in sync, preparing for the night ahead.


    Just as the last rays of the sun began to fade, a group of five adventurers emerged from the woodland boundary. They were a mix of men and women, their faces grim as they approached the camp. Upon spotting the princesses, their expressions changed instantly¡ªeyes widening, their gazes shifting between the group of women with a mix of awe and wariness.


    One of the men, taller and with a scar over his right cheek, stepped forward with a cautious smile. "Well, well," he said, his tone laced with a touch of respect. "Seems like we''re not the only ones with a vested interest in the special flower."


    Kael glanced at Seraphina, who raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" he asked, his confusion evident.


    The adventurers exchanged glances before the leader spoke again. "You''re here for the Crescent Starlight flower, aren''t you?"


    Seraphina''s eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting this. "The Crescent Starlight?" she echoed as if confirming what she had heard.


    The rest of the group stood in confusion. Laura tilted her head, whispering, "What''s that?"


    Seraphina took a deep breath, her gaze settling on Kael as she explained. "Every decade or so, a special Starlight flower blooms here. It''s said to have extraordinary properties. Not only is it incredibly valuable for its use in potions, but... in rare cases, it''s even been known to revive the dead."


    Kael''s eyes lit up at the mention of revival. "Revive the dead? That could mean a lot of merits for me! The rewards would be huge!" He grinned at the thought of the possibilities.


    Seraphina nodded, but there was a note of concern in her voice. "I didn''t expect the flower to bloom this time. It''s a rare event, and we have to be cautious. We''re not the only ones after it."


    A female warrior of the group smacked the leader on the back of the head. "You idiot! Because of your slip, we now have to fight unnecessarily," she snapped. The leader who had made the mistake winced but didn''t respond, shifting uncomfortably under the scolding.


    The air immediately thickened with tension. The five adventurers drew their weapons, their eyes narrowing as they pointed their blades toward Kael''s group. "We don''t care who you are. We''re not here for a friendly chat," the leader growled. "Leave now, or there''ll be trouble."


    Kael''s group instinctively reached for their own weapons, their bodies poised for a fight. But Seraphina, calm as ever, held out a hand to stop them. "It''s Kael''s decision whether we stay or go," she said quietly, her voice a calm authority that still held the weight of command.


    Kael looked at the group of adventurers, weighing his options. The tension was thick, the air crackling with unspoken threats. He smiled then, a glint of mischief in his eyes.


    "How about a little competition?" Kael said, his voice confident. "We''ll settle this the old-fashioned way. I and my four teammates over here challenge to a pure arm wrestling match. No equipment, no mana, or any skills. Whoever wins three out of five matches takes the special flower."


    The rival adventurers stared at him in shock, clearly not expecting the challenge. The leader''s eyes narrowed, sizing Kael up. "Arm wrestling? You?" he repeated, skepticism in his voice. "A measly Tier-1?"


    Kael nodded firmly. "Absolutely. I may be a Tier-1, but I have muscles to compete." He rolled up his sleeves to show off his impossibly smooth skin. It almost made the rival adventurers laugh but they managed to hold it.


    "Uhh, Dear, that is not wise. You are definitely not a match for..." Seraphina tried to interrupt, but Kael waved his hand, dismissing her. "Trust me." He said, shifting his gaze to the leader of the rival party. "And mister, I dare to challenge you to arm wrestle with me."


    "Eh?" The rival adventurers were once again taken aback by his bold claim. Seraphina wondered whether he had injured his head during the earlier battle or something.


    The leader''s face flushed in embarrassment and anger. "You... I''ll crush your hand to the point that you won''t be able to use it anymore."


    Kael smiled, crossing his arms. "We''ll see about that."


    The adventurers and his wives almost had their mouths agape by Kael''s words. Laura became worried. "You don''t need to participate. We have enough numbers."


    Kael looked at her, and his smile widened. "Just trust me." She went into a daze for a moment and nodded.


    Seraphina glanced at Kael who was brimming with confidence, shaking her head slightly, but then she stepped forward. "You heard him. We''ll take you on. One match at a time."


    Laura, standing by Kael''s side, puffed out her cheeks. "I''ll do it, too. No one messes with my husband."


    The rival adventurers, still in disbelief, agreed in the end. The group quickly set up the competition, and they squared off in arm wrestling matches.


    The first to sit before each other were Kael and the leader of the rival party. The latter was named Davon, a Tier-6 adventurer of Radiant Swords Guild and the leader of Team Blackswan. Radiant Swords Guild might not even be in the top 10, but it isn''t because they are weak. It is because the guild is made up of sword practitioners. No mages, no healers, no support groups at all. As a result, they lag behind other guilds in accomplishing the quests, but in battle, especially one-on-one, they are quite skilled.


    Such warriors naturally have high physiques, and Kael was facing the one who seemed to have the best physical strength of all.


    As Emily, a mage from Kael''s team, created the stone platform for them for the challenge, both of them sat down and Davon placed his arm on the flat surface, inviting his opponent to the battle.


    Kael, however, stared at him in silence for a few seconds and made the announcement. "I give up." His tone was loud and clear.


    The entire clearing fell silent at once. The rival adventurers were stunned, unable to comprehend what had just happened. The leader blinked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "You... gave up?"


    Kael nodded, his expression casual. "Yeah, I figured I would contribute something to my team. After all, you''re the leader and the strongest here. Regardless of your opponent, you would win anyway." He shrugged his shoulders.


    Laura and Seraphina exchanged glances. The rival adventurers were speechless for a moment, unsure whether to be insulted or impressed.


    "Guess we''re done with the first battle. 1-0. Now, let''s move on to the next match," Kael said, his grin wide as he looked back at the leader, who now appeared both irritated and humiliated.


    "You..."

 Chapter 7: Quest with Laura and Seraphina: Starlight Blossom (4/4)

    Chapter 7: Quest with Laura and Seraphina: Starlight Blossom (4/4)"You..."


    The tension in the clearing was evident as Davon glared at Kael, his frustration boiling over. "So, you''re just admitting you''re weak and useless, huh?" he spat.


    Kael met his gaze calmly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Exactly," he replied without hesitation, his tone light but firm. "I''m weak, and I don''t see the point in pretending otherwise. By taking you on, I made sure my team had a better chance of winning. If you didn''t consider that possibility, that''s not my fault, right?"


    The leader clenched his fists, clearly taken aback by Kael''s audacious reasoning, while the other adventurers muttered among themselves, unsure whether to admire his shrewdness or mock him further.


    Laura, standing proudly by Kael''s side, stepped in to defend him. "My husband used his head instead of brute strength," she explained, her tone sharp. "He understood that your ego would blind you to his strategy. You wanted to humiliate him, but instead, he turned it into a calculated move. That''s not weakness¡ªthat''s genius."


    Seraphina, however, remained skeptical. She folded her arms and tilted her head slightly, her tone measured but critical. "Genius? I''m not so sure about it. Let''s not forget, we had greater numbers to begin with. There was no need for him to throw himself into the middle of it. If he wanted to help, he could''ve just stepped aside altogether. Not only they are ahead with 1-0, but now we''re in a position where they might not honor the agreement even if we win."


    Laura gave her sister a hard look. "You still don''t understand, do you? It''s not about putting himself in the front. It''s about protecting us. We''re mages, Seraphina. Our physical strength is nothing compared to theirs. If we got hurt during the contest, it would have been for nothing. Kael knows this. That''s why he acted the way he did."


    "But..." Seraphina opened her mouth to argue, but Laura cut her off, her voice growing softer. "And think about it. He proposed this competition himself. If he didn''t participate at all, it would undermine his position as our husband and team leader. He might be weak, but he''s not a coward. If a fight breaks out after this, Kael knows you and I, who didn''t exert ourselves, will have the best chance to defend him and everyone else."


    For a moment, Seraphina was silent, considering Laura''s words. She wanted to argue that Kael shouldn''t have put forth an arm wrestling contest in the first place, but then she understood that these guys might not even accept it when it doesn''t favor them. Finally, she sighed. "I see your point. But this is exactly why our youngest sister hates him. He always puts himself in these situations and expects us to clean up afterward."


    Laura chuckled softly. "Maybe. But, during the time of marriage, we took the oath to protect his wishes and stand by his side at all times, right?"


    The arm-wrestling continued, with both teams giving their all. The contest was fierce, the air filled with grunts of effort and the occasional cheer or groan as each match played out.


    It came down to the final round: a showdown between two swordswomen. Both were wielders of broadswords, they were physical powerhouses, their muscular builds a testament to their years of training. Their hands locked on the makeshift table, and their arms bulged as they began.


    The tension in the air grew as neither woman gave an inch. Sweat poured down their faces, their bodies straining with effort. The rest of the group, both allies and rivals, watched in awe as the match stretched on.


    Eventually, the contest dragged on for forty-five minutes. Neither swordswoman was willing to back down, their muscles trembling from the sheer force they exerted continuously for such a long time. Their hands remained locked, and their expressions were only becoming fiercer.


    "Come on, Arianne!" one of the rival adventurers shouted, cheering for their teammate.


    "You''ve got this, Fiona!" Laura called to her own side, her voice filled with encouragement.


    Kael, standing to the side, watched the endurance of both women with a frown on his face. "This is getting dragged for too long. A battle would be better, but if our mages get involved, we would only do more damage to the surroundings and might destroy the very thing we came for. Not to mention, they weren''t weak either." He bit his nail, thinking of a solution.


    Finally, as the match entered its forty-seventh minute, a sudden glow illuminated the clearing. A faint, ethereal light shone from the flowers surrounding them, casting the area in a soft, otherworldly radiance.


    Everyone froze for a moment, their attention drawn to the source of the light. The Starlight Blossom flowers glowed under the moonlight amidst a sea of similar-looking flowers. And in the distance, a flower suddenly grew larger to a foot in size.


    The two swordswomen, still locked in their contest, hesitated for only a moment. Then, as if on some unspoken agreement, they released their grips simultaneously, their arms falling limply to their sides as they gasped for breath.


    "It''s here! The Crescent Starlight flower!" Davon bellowed, about to charge. However, he swiftly halted as a dagger was placed at his neck, forcing him to step back. It was Aisha, the assassin-type adventurer in Kael''s party. Davon drew his weapon and his party also followed suit, weapons at the ready.


    As Kael''s team did the same, intending to battle, Laura shouted at them, "I knew that you are a greedy lot that doesn''t care about promises. As soon as the flower appeared, you were ready to go ahead and snatch it."


    Lola, the rival party''s blademaster, smirked, her twin swords gleaming under the glowing petals. "But, there was no result. Hence, whatever conditions we accepted earlier is now void." she retorted mockingly, her stance shifting into a ready position.


    The book in Laura''s hand was opened, the pages flipped on their own, stopping on a skill page. "I summon the... Hmm?"


    Before Laura could summon an elemental spirit, a low growl rumbled through the woods. The air thickened with an ominous energy as every head turned toward the sound. A massive figure emerged from the woods, its translucent fur shimmering faintly in the moonlight.


    "It is a spectral wolf," Lola gasped, her eyes fluttering in fear.


    The creature stood nearly five feet tall at the shoulder, its piercing, ethereal blue eyes scanning the clearing with a predatory gaze. Its aura was suffocating, a force of raw magic that sent shivers down the spines of all present. Even Davon faltered as his grip on his sword tightened and he stepped back.


    "This can''t be..." someone muttered in disbelief.


    "It''s in the same league as dragons," whispered Seraphina, her voice trembling slightly. "Even if it''s young, it is still not something we can take on."


    Kael stepped forward, his expression hardened. "Everyone, stand down," he commanded as he walked forward.


    Laura reached for him, her voice filled with panic. "Dear, now it is not the time for false bravado. It''s too dangerous."


    He turned to her briefly, offering a reassuring smile as he raised his arm. The sleeve of his shirt slipped back, revealing a glowing tattoo¡ªa runic symbol etched with mystic energy that pulsed faintly in the moonlight.


    The spectral wolf stopped in its tracks, its sharp eyes locking onto Kael. A tense silence fell over the clearing as Kael approached, his footsteps deliberate and unhurried. The wolf stared at him with an almost unsettling intelligence, its gaze unblinking. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael stopped a few steps away and met the wolf''s eyes. The creature tilted its head slightly before speaking, its voice deep and resonant, echoing in the minds of all present. "Who are you?"


    Kael took a deep breath and replied, "I am Kael. I seek the Crescent Starlight flower to save my dying father."


    The clearing erupted in murmurs. "His father is dead," Aisha hissed to her team. "What is he playing at?" Laura and Seraphina exchanged their looks, wondering the same.


    The wolf, however, seemed unfazed by the whispers. It narrowed its eyes at Kael, studying him intently. Finally, it stepped aside, its head motioning toward the flower. "Take it," the wolf said.


    "What?" Everyone''s eyes widened in surprise, watching the scene where the wolf just bought his reason and let him take away the flower.


    Davon murmured, "I got to say. That guy isn''t as trash as I thought he was. He is brave."


    Kael''s face broke into a relieved smile as he nodded. "Thank you."


    He stepped toward the flower, careful not to make any sudden movements. But just as he was about to pluck the herb, the wolf''s voice stopped him. "Wait."


    Kael froze and turned back. The wolf''s gaze bore into him, its expression unreadable. "Show me the seal," it demanded.


    Kael hesitated only for a moment before rolling up his sleeve fully, revealing the entirety of the glowing runic symbol. The wolf approached him, its movements fluid and silent, until it stood directly in front of him. Without warning, it raised a claw and pricked Kael''s arm, drawing a bead of blood.


    "Kael!" Laura shouted, her voice filled with alarm. She charged, but her arm was tightly grabbed by Seraphina. "Wait," She stopped her.


    Meanwhile, Kael jumped back instinctively, his hand pressing against the wound. The wolf, however, didn''t attack. Instead, it brought its claw to its mouth, licking the blood delicately. A faint glow surrounded the wolf as it spoke, its tone calm but commanding. "By this blood, the contract is sealed."


    "Wha..." Before Kael could react, a surge of magic enveloped him. The glowing runic symbol on his arm projected the silhouette of a wolf''s head in mid-air before it disappeared. The spectral wolf sat back on its haunches, its expression almost seemed amused.


    "I am bound to you now, human," the wolf said, its tone tinged with satisfaction. "As your companion beast, I''ll be responsible for your protection, and as the contractee, you will be responsible for my hunger."


    The clearing fell silent once more, the weight of what had just transpired sinking in. Laura and Seraphina stared at Kael in shock, their mouths slightly agape. Even Davon and his team seemed at a loss for words. Everything just happened in a matter of seconds.


    Kael blinked, trying to process what had just happened. "Wait... what?"


    The wolf let out a low, rumbling chuckle. "As we are connected, I would like to check your memories to see how that seal was inherited by you. So, your name is Kael Moonstone, huh? No wonder you had that seal. Moonstone House is always... Hmm? What?" All of a sudden, its pleasant mood turned into surprise, followed by the aura of rage enveloping its body. "You lied to me. Your father is dead."


    Kael paled, fumbling for words. "I¡ªuh¡ªwell, technically¡ª"


    Before he could finish, the wolf lunged forward, its massive head colliding with Kael''s chest in a thunderous headbutt. The force sent him flying comically into a nearby tree, where he hung for a moment before sliding down to the ground, groaning.


    "Kael!" Laura cried, rushing to his side.


    Seraphina looked at the wolf, her expression caught between alarm and wariness. "What was that for?"


    The wolf snorted, its tone dismissive. "He''s unharmed. Humans are more durable than they look. He''ll survive."


    Kael sat up, clutching his chest. "this damn wolf," he muttered under his breath.


    The wolf tilted its head, feigning innocence. "Now, I am hungry. Lead the way, humans. I desire food prepared by your kind."


    Kael''s eye twitched. "You want me to cook for you after that?"


    The wolf''s tail swished lazily. "Didn''t I tell you earlier? You are responsible for my hunger. I want food."


    The tension in the clearing dissipated slightly as the absurdity of the situation set in.


    With the Crescent Starlight flower safely secured and the spectral wolf apparently content to stay in the forest for "unfinished business," Kael and his group prepared to leave, almost clearing out the entire field of Starlight Blossoms for themselves. Davon and his team didn''t even dare to touch them with the spectral wolf standing on Kael''s side. Seraphina carefully packed the blossoms in an enchanted container to preserve them due to their 72 hours of shelf life while Laura accompanied Kael, couldn''t hide her excitement as her husband is now the master of a Tier-7 beast, which has the potential to become Tier-10 in the near future.


    As Kael mounted the carriage, Adventurer Aisha couldn''t help but comment, thinking about the wolf. "I can''t tell if Lord Moonstone is the luckiest guy alive or the unluckiest."


    Kael sighed in response, "I too wonder the same thing." His shoulders dropped and mental tiredness could be seen on his face.


    "Now, now, hubby... there is nothing to be worried about. That beast wasn''t tamed properly. After we return home, I will ask Mother to hire a top-tier beast tamer to teach you how to control it." Laura said with a smile, leaning her head against his arm.


    The carriage moved, journeying to the nearest town.


    Kael, meanwhile, was awfully silent throughout the whole journey, wondering about the seal imprinted on his arm by his mother as its role was supposed to make him a friendly target to the monsters in the wild for a temporary period, not make them initiate a forceful contract.

 Chapter 8: Trouble at Emberfell town (1/3)

    Chapter 8: Trouble at Emberfell town (1/3)The following day;


    Kael and Laura bathed in the soft morning light streaming through the curtains of their inn room, both naked under the sheets. Laura lay draped across Kael''s chest. They had just finished an intimate moment, and both were catching their breath.


    Laura traced lazy circles on his chest, a playful smirk on her face. "For someone who''s still in the underprivileged realm, your stamina is... remarkable," she teased. "Your body is as fit as any warrior''s."


    Kael flushed a deep red and averted his gaze, struggling for words. "I-I just stay active..."


    She giggled softly at his embarrassment, then her tone grew more thoughtful. "You know, Kael, it''s been over two months since we got married." Her fingers stilled, and she looked up at him with a mix of mischief and sincerity. "Mother reminded me it''s about time we started thinking about a baby as she''s worried that people would start questioning."


    Kael sighed, gently stroking her hair. "I know, Laura. But right now, I need to focus on my career as a merchant. I just changed the jobs and started a new life. I want to build something stable before we take that step. I don''t want to be distracted between various responsibilities. I''m sorry."


    Her face fell slightly, but she quickly masked her disappointment with a warm smile. "I understand," she said softly, leaning up to kiss him. "But don''t keep me waiting too long, husband."


    Kael pulled her close, his heart heavy with the unspoken weight of his ambitions and responsibilities.


    After a quick breakfast at the inn, Kael and Laura started strolling hand in hand through the bustling marketplace. The air was filled with the calls of vendors, the scent of fresh produce, and the chatter of townsfolk going about their day.


    Kael carried a list of ingredients for the purification potion that Seraphina had provided before leaving for the town''s healing center. Wherever she traveled, she didn''t forget to go to the healing center and provide free treatment to the poor.


    Meanwhile, Kael and Laura handled the procurement of the necessary materials for the potion.


    Laura''s natural charisma and sharp bargaining skills shone as she haggled with vendors. "Thirty silver coins for these? You must be joking. These herbs barely qualify as premium quality," she said to an older merchant, her tone sharp yet friendly. "I''ll give you twenty, and you''ll still make a profit."


    The merchant sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine, twenty it is. But only because you''re a royal consort."


    Kael chuckled as Laura turned to him with a triumphant smile. "Despite being a princess, you really are a bargain master." He couldn''t stop himself from praising her skills.


    "You just need to know how to talk to people and how to beat them psychologically, whether it is bargaining for the items or debating with other scholars. The core principle remains the same," she replied, winking at him.


    With the materials purchased, the couple made their way to the alchemy guild''s local branch. The potion master, an elderly woman with sharp eyes and nimble hands, inspected the gathered ingredients with a discerning gaze.


    "These will do," she said curtly. "The purification potion is delicate work, though. Handling a batch large enough for hundreds of Starlight Blossom flowers will take time. But, I promise to hand it over by the end of the evening."


    Kael nodded. "We trust your expertise. Let us know if you need anything else."


    The potion master gave a satisfied grunt and gestured for them to leave her workshop. "Come back in a day. It''ll be ready."


    While Kael''s quest is only to procure the Starlight Blossom, he gets 100% bonus credits if he submits the purified ones. As one knows, Starlight Blossoms grow among the look-alike flowers, the Poisonous Blossom flowers. As a result, they usually are contaminated. Despite containing healing properties, unpurified flowers contain traces of poison too.


    To solve this, they must be sprayed with a purification potion. This will not only purify them but also increase shelf life from 3 days to 7 days.


    The problem occurred when Kael procured almost all the Starlight Blossom flowers available in Blossom Valley earlier. Each purification potion in the market would individually cost over 12 gold coins per vial.


    Hence, with Seraphina''s help, he bought the ingredients required for the potion in bulk amount and handed it over to the potion master in the town, paying only 100 gold coins as making charges.


    The ingredients cost him around 214 gold coins with the help of Laura, which would result in receiving a batch of 100-120 purification potions. Each purification potion could be used to purify about 8-10 Starlight Blossom flowers; there are about 600 flowers he collected, and each purified Starlight blossom would give him 3 gold coins and 20 silver coins. 400 gold coins would be given as a commission for the adventuring team. Even after deducting the food and accommodation charges, he would easily earn more than a thousand gold coins for this job.


    With their business at the alchemy guild concluded Kael and Laura found themselves with more than enough time to fool around. They decided to explore the town, wandering through its cobblestone streets and quaint shops.


    They stopped by a small bakery, where Kael wanted to buy a box of honey cakes for the other wife. "These are Seraphina''s favorite," he said, his eyes twinkling. "She''ll never admit it, but I think she has a sweet tooth."


    "Yeah, I know she loves sweets." Laura puffed her cheeks, feeling a bit of jealousy. "I, too, worked hard for your quest, you know." She said, looking away.


    "Ok. What do you want, my queen?" Kael asked with a chuckle, feeling that sometimes, she appears cute when she is jealous.


    Just as Laura was about to respond, screams of people filled the street and earned their attention. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The cobblestone streets of the bustling town market seemed to have been thrown into chaos as a tri-horned-rhino-beast-driven-carriage made its way in the streets at a walking pace, accompanied by a retinue of armed guards and attendants.


    As the carriage stopped, someone wearing an attire worthy of a wealthy individual/noble family stepped down.


    The lady was tall and striking, with cascading auburn hair and an air of arrogance that matched the fine silk of her dress. Her piercing eyes scanned the stores and then the crowd in the streets until they landed on Kael.


    "Well, well," she purred, approaching Kael and Laura instead of going into a clothing store as she planned. "What have we here? Such a fine specimen wandering through my town. I never encountered a flower like you." Her eyes were filled with infatuation as if she had fallen for him at first sight.


    Kael frowned, uncomfortable under her gaze, but Laura stepped forward with a firm expression on her face. "This is my husband," she said sharply. "Move along, lady."


    The noblewoman''s lips curled into a smirk. "Husband? A pity." She looked at Laura with barely concealed disdain. "Do you think a commoner like you could truly hold onto a man like him? You look like a scholar, though. If you are intelligent, you should know that a treasure in the hands of a commoner is a crime."


    "You..." Laura''s hands clenched into fists, but before she could respond, the noblewoman continued. "You must not know who I am. I am Lady Roselyn Sinclair, daughter of Baroness Fianna Sinclair, the lord of this town. I could kill you here and now, in public, and no one would dare to raise a finger against me. And as for your husband," she added with a venomous grin, "I could take him right now, and you couldn''t stop me. So, you can buzz off from here."


    Roselyn''s words were the final straw. Without hesitation, Laura drew her Tome and launched a blast of energy directly at the noblewoman. The attack crackled with raw magical energy, but one of Roselyn''s guards swiftly stepped in, blocking the strike with his shield.


    The air grew tense as more guards encircled Kael and Laura. Roselyn laughed, her voice cold and triumphant. "Foolish girl. You should''ve known your place."


    "Kael, stay back!" Laura said fiercely, summoning a sword through the word magic as the guards closed in. The marketplace cleared as civilians fled the brewing conflict.


    Despite Laura''s valiant efforts, the guards'' sheer numbers proved overwhelming. She fought fiercely with a sword in one hand and magic spells in the other hand, crackling with intensity as she held her ground, but even her strength had limits. Kael watched from the sidelines, his heart pounding in worry.


    Finally, seeing Laura begin to falter under the relentless assault, Kael made his move. Reaching into his satchel, he pulled out a small vial with a glowing, scarlet liquid¡ªa rare potion he had saved for emergencies.


    "Laura, duck!" he shouted, throwing the potion at the center of the melee.


    *Boom*

 Chapter 9: Trouble at Emberfell town (2/3)

    Chapter 9: Trouble at Emberfell town (2/3)The explosion erupted with a deafening roar, sending guards flying and enveloping the area in a cloud of smoke and fire. Laura caught at the edge of the blast, stumbled backward, and fell to the ground.


    Kael rushed to her side, pulling a healing potion from his bag. "I''m sorry, Laura," he murmured, tipping the liquid into her mouth. "I had no choice."


    As the healing potion absorbed into her body, Laura''s injuries were healed instantly. She stood up and looked at Kael with a mixture of admiration and exasperation. "You know how expensive those potions are, right?" she said, her voice weak but teasing.


    Kael gave her a soft smile. "What good are potions if I can''t use them to protect you?"


    Her cheeks flushed, and she reached up to touch his face. "You''re impossible," she murmured before leaning in to kiss him without a care that they were in a public place and dozens of eyes were locked on them.


    Some spectators gasped at the sight; some closed their eyes as the sight of the couple''s romance was too blinding for them, and some murmured in curiosity about their identities.


    The explosion had left most of the guards incapacitated, except for the nobleman''s bodyguard who was the only Tier-7 in the impacted region, and Roselyn herself was on the ground, clutching her face where burns marred her once-flawless skin. She staggered to her feet, her expression twisted with rage.


    "You''ll regret this, bi*ch!" she screamed at Laura, her eyes reddened. "I am Roselyn Sinclair, and I swear, in my family''s name, that I will have my revenge on you and that peacock of yours."


    She stormed off, her attendants scrambling to follow her, leaving Kael and Laura alone in the wreckage of the marketplace.


    "Forget about her. She''ll come to terms once she realizes who we are. Let''s continue the exploration, hubby," Laura shrugged, not taking Roselyn''s words seriously. Kael nodded, and they resumed exploring the town, throwing the memory of the incident at the back of their heads.


    As the evening fell, Kael and Laura returned to the inn. Exhausted but grateful for their survival, Laura leaned on Kael''s shoulder as they climbed the stairs to his room. That night, their shared passion burned brighter than ever, as they found comfort in each other''s bodies again. Laura drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep, her body depleted of stamina.


    In the quiet stillness of the night, Kael abruptly opened his eyes and sat up on the bed. Ensuring Laura was sound asleep, he slipped out of bed and dressed quickly. His movements were deliberate and quiet, his expression unreadable in the dim light.


    Without a word, he left the room and exited the inn, disappearing into the shadows of the sleeping town.


    Meanwhile, at the Sinclair mansion, the noblewoman, Lady Roselyn, slept soundly in her lavish bedroom. The soft glow of moonlight filtered through the grand windows, casting faint shadows across the room.


    Suddenly, Roselyn stirred, her breath pulling as a heavy weight pressed against her stomach. Her eyes fluttered open, panic setting in when she saw the dark figure looming over her. A hooded man sat atop her, his face partially blocked by the shadows.


    "W-who are you? Guards!" she gasped, her voice trembling.


    The figure raised a finger to his lips, silencing her with an unsettling calm. Then, he slowly lowered his hood, revealing his face.


    Her eyes widened in recognition. "You... from the morning?"


    Kael''s expression remained cold and unyielding. "You shouldn''t have attacked my wife. But you did, and in return, you got what you deserved. But then, you dared to threaten her," he said, his voice low and menacing. Without giving her a chance to scream or retaliate, he drew a thin blade, glinting faintly in the moonlight. Tears abruptly formed in her eyes due to fear.


    Before she could plead for her life, he slit her throat with surgical precision, her blood soaking the soft sheets. Roselyn''s lifeless body slumped onto the bed as Kael calmly carved the metallic object with the shape of K into her forehead¡ªa symbol that had haunted many across the imperial city.


    With a final glance at the corpse, Kael slipped out of the mansion undetected, blending into the shadows as easily as he had arrived. By the time dawn broke, he was back in the inn, lying next to Laura as if he''d never left.


    The morning light brought a facade of normalcy to their lives. Kael, Laura, and Seraphina sat together at a wooden table in the common area, sharing breakfast. Kael sipped his tea in silence as Laura and Seraphina chatted idly.


    Outside, however, chaos reigned. The town was in an uproar over the gruesome death of Lady Roselyn Sinclair. Rumors of her murder by the infamous assassin K spread like wildfire, and the streets buzzed with fear and speculation.


    Everywhere in the inn, adventurers were talking about it, and it didn''t go unnoticed by Kael and his two wives.


    As they ate, Seraphina gave Kael a pointed look. "Strange, isn''t it?" she said, her tone nonchalant but her gaze sharp. "The infamous assassin K strikes down a noblewoman, and it just so happens that she''s someone who offended us yesterday."


    Kael didn''t flinch, his face an unreadable mask. He focused on his tea as if her words hadn''t registered. Laura, however, interjected with a small laugh. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It''s not strange at all," Laura said, casually slicing her bread. "That woman was arrogant enough to make enemies wherever she went. It''s no surprise she caught K''s attention. Besides," she added with a sly smile, "this town is the closest one to the Darkwood Forest. Maybe K was planning to come here all along and just happened to help us on the way."


    Seraphina studied Kael''s face for a moment longer but said nothing further. She remembered a vague memory from the previous night where she saw Kael returning after midnight from somewhere in disguised clothes. However, she didn''t speak of it and faintly smiled, taking a sip of the tea.


    Not long after, the calm of breakfast was shattered by the sound of heavy boots pounding against the wooden floors. The inn''s doors burst open, and armed soldiers flooded the room, their swords drawn.


    "Everyone, hands where we can see them!" barked the lead soldier, his voice echoing through the common area. The adventurers seated at nearby tables instinctively reached for their weapons, but the soldiers quickly surrounded them.


    The adventuring team Kael hired got up from their table, their weapons drawn out. Laura and Seraphina exchanged tense glances as Kael''s expression remained composed, though his grip on his teacup tightened.


    A man dressed in fine, authoritative attire entered behind the soldiers. A familiar-looking guard of Roselyn from the earlier day scanned the room before pointing her fingers at Kael and Laura. The man charged toward them. "You are hereby under arrest," the man declared, his tone resolute. "For the alleged murder of Lady Roselyn Sinclair, daughter of Baron Sinclair."


    The room erupted into murmurs, with some of the adventurers protesting the accusation. Kael, Laura, and Seraphina slowly rose from their seats, their movements deliberate.


    The soldiers tightened their grip on their weapons as Aisha, the adventurer, stood up and snarled. "You know the identities of the people you are pointing your weapons at? Are you afraid of living?" She growled, preparing to attack.


    Tension crackled in the air as the room seemed poised to explode into violence. The inspector raised a hand, signaling the soldiers to stand ready, while Kael simply sighed and stepped forward.


    "Let''s not make this messier than it needs to be," he said, his tone calm but firm. "We''ll go with you and resolve this misunderstanding."


    Laura opened her mouth to protest, but Kael shot her a subtle, reassuring look. Reluctantly, she nodded, her hands slowly lowering. She gestured for the adventuring team to lower their weapons. Seraphina tagged along with the two of them as they were escorted by the soldiers.

 Chapter 10: Trouble at Emberfell town (3/3)

    Chapter 10: Trouble at Emberfell town (3/3)Kael, Laura, and Seraphina stood in the grand hall of the Sinclair mansion, its polished marble floors and ornate tapestries exuding wealth far beyond what a mere Baroness could have. The tension was obvious as Baroness Fianna Sinclair, a stern woman with fiery auburn hair and piercing green eyes, examined the trio from her elevated seat.


    Fianna''s gaze lingered on Seraphina, recognition flashing in her eyes. "An imperial princess in my town?" she said, her voice laced with a mixture of respect and suspicion as she rose from her seat. "What brings you to Emberfell, Your Highness?"


    Seraphina maintained her composure, offering a slight bow. "We are merely passing through, Baroness."


    Fianna''s sharp eyes shifted to Kael and Laura. Her expression darkened as realization dawned. "And this man... could he be the famed royal consort of Moonstone House, the Queen''s son-in-law, as in your husband?"


    Seraphina nodded. "Indeed, this is Kael, my husband. And this is my younger sister, Laura Flamehart."


    The inspector, standing beside Fianna, interjected in his grave tone. "My Lady, it was these two who fought Lady Roselyn in the town square and left her with burns, Lady Roselyn''s murder suspects."


    Standing to the inspector''s left, the imposing figure of Elizabeth Twilight, a Tier-7 Elite Guard clad in gleaming armor, confirmed the report with a solemn nod. "I witnessed the aftermath myself, Baroness. They were involved."


    Fianna''s expression hardened, her eyes narrowing at Kael and Laura. Her earlier respectful attitude toward them turned hostile all of a sudden. "Inspector, throw them both into the dungeon until we''ve uncovered the true culprit."


    Laura''s eyes blazed with fury as she stepped forward, her voice rising. "How dare you treat members of the imperial family in this manner? Do you know the consequences of your act?"


    Fianna''s lips turned into a cold smile. "The town of Emberfell was granted autonomy by the previous queen. Here, no one¡ªnot even imperial princesses¡ªis above the law. My authority is absolute within these borders."


    She gestured to the guards, who began to move toward Kael and Laura.


    Seraphina stepped forward to resolve the situation calmly. "Baroness, consider this carefully. It hasn''t even been two days since we arrived in your town. The argument with Lady Roselyn occurred eighteen hours ago. The assassination happened eight hours ago. Are you suggesting we could hire the infamous assassin K of the Imperial City and arrange for him to carry out such a deed within a mere ten hours?"


    Laura added, her voice dripping with disdain, "And let''s not forget who K is. Everyone knows he doesn''t take contracts like a common killer. Those who fall to his blade are invariably corrupt and deserving of their fate. If Roselyn was slain by his hand, she must have done something truly vile to provoke his judgement."


    Fianna''s jaw clenched, her hands gripping the arms of her chair. "Mind your tongue, Your Highness." Her voice thundered in a roar. "Do you think we aren''t aware that K is the throne''s dog and his being the enemy of the throne is something the Queen created?"


    As the sisters exchanged glances in confusion, furrowing their brows, Fianna continued. "Was it a coincidence that Assassin K is three hundred kilometers away from the imperial city and at the same time you were here too?"


    Kael then stepped forward, his voice steady as he tried to deal it calmly. "Baroness Sinclair, let''s set aside accusations and hypotheticals. Do you have any solid evidence tying us to this crime? Or is this arrest based solely on your speculation?"


    The room fell silent. Fianna furrowed her brows, staring at him in displeasure. She was about to refute ''how dare a man try to speak in that tone against her,'' but remembering his identity as the Queen''s only son-in-law, she swallowed those words.


    In the meantime, Laura seized the moment of silence from the Baroness. "Lady Roselyn attacked us first, and there are countless witnesses in the town square who can attest to it. If anything, she had a motive to harm us, not the other way around. If you wish to use your town''s autonomy as an excuse to take revenge against the imperial family for that incident, you should be prepared for the consequences." Her tone was icy and cold.


    The words hung in the air like a thundercloud. Even Seraphina, typically the voice of peace, allowed a hint of menace to creep into her tone. "Consider carefully, Fianna Sinclair. Is this a fight you truly wish to pick with the the imperial family over speculation? If you think we are culprits, go and do your investigation and file the case for public trial at the imperial court."


    Fianna''s eyes darted between the three of them. For a moment, her confidence faltered. Seraphina''s icy glare, Laura''s defiant stance, and Kael''s calm yet unyielding presence were enough to give her pause.


    For that one moment, she stopped thinking like a mother of a departed girl but as the Baroness of the Emberfell town.


    Finally, she exhaled sharply and leaned back in her chair. "You are free to go," she said, her voice clipped. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The inspector looked surprised. "Baroness, are you sure¡ª"


    Fianna cut him off with a wave of her hand. "I will not act without evidence. Dismiss the charges. You go and proceed with a deep investigation on the matter. See if any third party is conspiring against me."


    Kael gave a slight bow, his expression unreadable. "A wise decision, Baroness."


    As they turned to leave, Fianna''s face reddened, but she said nothing as the trio exited the hall. She controlled her rage by clenching her fists so tight that her nails dug into her skin and bled her palm.


    Once Kael, Seraphina, and Laura exited the Sinclair mansion, the heavy doors slammed shut behind them. Inside, Baroness Fianna Sinclair''s composed facade melted into a scowl. She turned to her steward, a thin old man with a hawk-like nose and sharp eyes.


    "Send a message to Romi," she ordered roughly. "Invite her for the lunch."


    The steward bowed deeply. "At once, Baroness."


    As the steward left, Fianna muttered under her breath; the rage in her body hadn''t subsided yet. "Regardless of whether you two had a hand in my daughter''s death or not, you will pay consequences for hurting my daughter for sure."

 Chapter 11: A failed ambush from a mercenary group

    Chapter 11: A failed ambush from a mercenary groupSoon, Kael and his companions purified the Starlight Blossom flowers using the purification potion they acquired earlier. By noon, their task was complete, and after a hearty lunch, they began their journey back to the imperial city.


    As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor, the group decided to set up their camp at the edge of the forest, on their way. A campfire was set before the tent, the flickering flames casting dancing shadows on their faces.


    Kael sat between Laura and Seraphina, his wives on either side, while the adventurers lounged on the other side of the fire. They chatted lightly, recounting past adventures and sharing plans for the journey ahead.


    While they were in the middle of dinner, Kael''s expression turned serious as he put down the bowl. He straightened, his gaze scanning the surrounding darkness. "I sense danger. Multiple enemies," he said, his voice low but urgent.


    Everyone immediately went on alert, hands darting to their weapons as they stood. The adventurers exchanged tense glances, the atmosphere grew heavy.


    From the shadows, figures began to emerge¡ªmercenaries, twenty in total, encircling the campsite. Most of them are in Tier-6, spare a few.


    Their leader stepped forward, reaching out to her dagger as she spoke to the party. "A Tier-7 expert," Laura spoke in a hushed tone.


    The busty dark-haired woman approached the adventuring party that stood around Kael and his wives. "Woah, my client really didn''t do you enough justice, describing you as a mere flower." The woman eyed the only man in the party with a predatory gaze, licking her lips with her long tongue. "Don''t worry, handsome. I won''t kill you. I''ll keep you as my bi*ch." She said, her gaze was filled with lust.


    "You rotting pox..." Laura gritted her teeth, offended by this strange woman trying to speak to her husband in such a vulgar way. With a swift motion of her hand, the pages of the book floating before her turned quickly and stopped at a spell. Words in the page escaped the book and turned into specks of energy, eventually taking the shape of a wingless and limbless dragon. "The Dragon of the East, Ryujin. Heed my call and destroy my..."


    "Ack."


    All of a sudden, a mercenary standing not far away from Romi, the mercenary group leader fell down. A purple energy arrow was seen pierced into his back before it disappeared as his body turned into a corpse.


    Everyone became alert as one by one, the mercenaries fell to the purple arrows coming from every side. Arrows streaked through the air with deadly precision, each finding its mark without fail. Thud after thud, bodies hit the forest floor. The mercenaries barely had time to react before the last man fell, an arrow lodged in his chest. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the same time, Laura attacked Romi with her spell.


    The energy dragon flew to her like a streak of light. Just as it was about to strike her chest, Romi''s hand moved, her dagger blocking the energy dragon. However, just as the attack collided with her blade, it gave off a blinding flash of light and caused a huge explosion.


    Leiza, the swordswoman of the group, raised her shield and slammed it on the ground, unleashing a giant wall of barrier in time, shielding the team from the explosion.


    However, as the dust settled, Romi was nowhere to be seen. She disappeared from their sight.


    The group stood frozen, their weapons raised but unused.


    From the treeline, four figures emerged, their silhouettes backlit by the dim glow of the dying sun.


    Kael''s eyes widened as recognition dawned. Leading the group was Shiera, his youngest wife, holding a bow still strung with an arrow. Her expression was as sharp as her aim, her icy blue eyes scanning the camp for any remaining threats.


    "Shiera," Kael murmured, his voice tinged with surprise and relief.


    Shiera strode into the camp, her bow casually slung over her shoulder. Her teammates followed close behind, grinning as they spotted Kael.


    "Brother-in-law!" one of them exclaimed cheerfully, a burly man with a massive sword strapped to his back. He rushed forward, shaking Kael''s hands a bit more enthusiastically. "We finally get to meet the man Shiera''s been so protective of. She practically dragged us here when she heard you might be in danger and took care of everyone on her own, not even letting us use our strength."


    Another, a short lady who looked more like a teenager, smirked as she dismissed her dual daggers. "She even left us just one step away from the boss''s den. Can you believe it? She must really care about you."


    Shiera''s cheeks flushed faintly, though her expression remained stoic. "Don''t get the wrong idea, Kael," she snapped, her tone clipped. "I only came because Seraphina sent me the message, requesting my help. Can you really stop causing trouble to my sisters? If you are weak, act like one."


    Kael scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, a small blush rising up to his face.


    Before he could respond, Laura stepped forward, her arms crossed. "It''s not his fault to be born with good looks and that attracts trouble from every squid out there," she said, her voice brimming with pride.


    "Stop it," Kael turned an even deeper shade of red, mumbling unclearly as the adventurers burst into laughter. Even Shiera couldn''t entirely hide the twitch of a smile at the corner of her lips, though she quickly masked it with a scoff.


    With the mercenary threat eliminated, the group settled back around the campfire, though the atmosphere was now far lighter. Shiera''s party introduced themselves to the rest of the group, sharing tales of their recent adventures and teasing Shiera further about her "rescue mission."


    Kael thanked Shiera sincerely, his tone earnest. "I appreciate you coming to help us, Shiera. Truly."


    Shiera looked away, feigning disinterest. "Just don''t make it a habit," she muttered.


    As the fire crackled and the stars emerged above, the combined group began discussing their plans. Once they return to the imperial city, Laura plans to talk with the Queen, making sure to get Baroness Fianna punished and put a bounty on that Tier-7 mercenary, whoever that was.


    Meanwhile, Romi, injured in the chest and bleeding heavily, was seen somewhere in the middle of the forest. She rested on a branch, consuming healing potions to close up her wound at the very least. As she had gotten better, Romi clenched her fist in anger. "That dark-haired bit*h. I will kill you one day. Until then, I need to lay low. If Fianna hears that I''m alive, she will send women after me to cover up the evidence. Let''s go to the imperial city. The most dangerous place is always the safest place to hide."

 Chapter 12: An insult from the youngest wife

    Chapter 12: An insult from the youngest wifeThe next day morning, Kael resumed his journey.


    Kael and his party finally reached the capital city, its towering spires gleaming under the setting sun. Their first stop was the Adventurer''s Guild main branch, where Kael submitted the materials from their quest.


    After deducting expenses for ingredients for purification potions, alchemist fees, adventuring team commission, and other costs, his net earnings from the venture came to 1,055 gold coins. It wasn''t a fortune, but it was a solid profit, enough to spark a cheerful mood.


    "Let''s celebrate," Kael said warmly, glancing at his wives. "It''s been a tough journey. How about I treat you all to something nice?" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Laura beamed, wanting to indeed eat something nice after eating those tasteless inferior quality food and bland drinks during the adventure. However, Shiera crossed her arms, her expression frosty.


    "What do you plan to treat eleven of us with, Kael?" she asked, her tone cutting. "A thousand gold coins? Do you even realize how little that is? To host a proper dinner for all of us, you''d need at least ten thousand gold coins. And you¡ªweak and broke, who is depending on my mother''s stipend to run the house¡ªwould take months to earn that unless..." She smirked coldly, "...you plan on sleeping with some noble for the money."


    Laura''s cheer faded instantly, her face twisting with anger. "How dare you!" she snapped, her voice rising as she almost caught Shiera''s collar. "How can you talk about your husband like that?"


    Even Seraphina frowned, her serene demeanor breaking. "Shiera," she said sternly, "that''s enough. Do you have to destroy the mood using such harsh comments? Your husband is trying his best and you have to demean him like that?"


    But Shiera wasn''t done. "Husband?" she scoffed. "He''s only half a husband to me. We haven''t even consummated our marriage. When I become queen, the first thing I''ll do is annul this sham marriage."


    Seraphina hesitated, unable to counter Shiera''s argument. She, too, hadn''t consummated her marriage with Kael, a fact that nibbled at her pride.


    Laura, however, refused to back down. She summoned her book, ready to battle Shiera to death even if the latter was stronger than her. But before anything could escalate, Kael stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Laura''s arm.


    "Let it go," he said softly.


    Laura glared at him but relented, dismissing her spirit. Kael then turned to Shiera, his expression calm and measured.


    "One day, Shiera," he said with a faint smile, "I''ll invite you to a dinner worth ten thousand gold coins. And it''ll be when I''ll earn it all through my own efforts."


    Shiera scoffed, turning on her heel. "Good luck with that," she muttered before leaving the group.


    Her teammates apologized to Kael one after another and went after Shiera.


    Kael gave away the remainder of the commission fees to the adventuring team that he hired, apologizing them. They understood the mood and knew that the dinner would not materialize. They too left the scene.


    As they slowly stepped into the horse carriage, Laura couldn''t contain her frustration any longer. "Why did you stop me?" she demanded, her voice trembling with anger. "She insulted you! She insulted us!"


    Kael shook his head, his tone soothing. "She''s your sister, my love. Even if she was proud and headstrong, you can''t just fight her. Moreover, it is true that our house is running by the money from the imperial treasury."


    "So, what? You are the royal consort, the only one of the Queendom. What if Moonstone House is run by the treasury? Entire treasury belongs to you," Laura defended it, her voice firm.


    Seraphina sighed, her voice laced with guilt instead. "I''m sorry, Kael. This is my fault. I was the one who contacted her for help."


    Kael gave her a reassuring smile. "You did the right thing. If not for her, we might not have survived the mercenaries. Besides," he added with a twisted grin, "she''s family, after all."


    Before the conversation could continue, Kael''s eyes flicked to something in the distance, through the window. His demeanor shifted abruptly. "I just remembered I have something to do. I''ll be visiting the Church. You head on," he said, before stopping the carriage and leaving in a hurry.


    Laura watched him go, her heart sinking. "He''s disappointed," she murmured. "It''s all her dam brat''s fault."


    Seraphina placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Respect isn''t earned by marriage, Laura. It''s earned through actions."


    Laura turned to her, frowning. "Then why do you respect him and always support his actions then?"


    For a moment, Seraphina was silent. Then she replied, "I don''t."


    Laura blinked, stunned.


    "I pity him," Seraphina continued. "He''s like a lamb surrounded by butchers. I feel it''s my duty to protect him."


    Laura spiked at her words. "Kael doesn''t need your pity. He''ll achieve his dreams, and he doesn''t need anyone''s help to do it."


    Seraphina gave her a sidelong glance. "Perhaps," she said softly. "But don''t you think he''s... different, lately? I mean, when we were married first, he just looked like a helpless lamb who agrees with you whatever. However, as time passed, I realized that it is not like he bows down to your authority but always be considerate of his wives and very understanding. I didn''t even think he was aware that I like honey cakes. And how he dealt with those adventuring team we encountered at the Blossom Valley. Not to mention the fact that a legendary beast like spectral wolf volunteered itself to become his beast companion. I think I should spend more time with him to understand his true personality and the secrets he was holding."


    A chill ran down Laura''s spine. "You should just keep pitying him," she snapped, her voice defensive.


    Seraphina chuckled, ruffling Laura''s hair. "You''re so cute when you''re jealous and protective."


    Laura pouted, puffing her cheeks. "I''m not jealous!"


    Meanwhile, Kael walked through the winding streets of the capital, his steps purposeful. He slipped into a dark alley, glancing over his shoulder to ensure no one was following him.


    In a matter of moments, he changed his clothes, replacing his simple attire with a dark, hooded cloak. Climbing up a nearby tall building, he leaped onto the rooftop and crouched, his sharp gaze fixed on the street below.


    A carriage rolled by, its driver cracking a whip¡ªnot at horses, but at two buffed half-naked men tied to the front like beasts as both of them carried a brand of skull on their chests, the symbol of slaves. The carriage bore the insignia of an anchor and a ship, the crest of a known noble house.


    Kael''s expression darkened. "The Aquareld House," he muttered. "It should be the Duchess of Slaughter riding inside. An Exalt realm expert¡ªand a slave trader. What does that person doing in the imperial city?"


    Memories flooded his mind. The previous duchess, a cruel woman who had orchestrated the death of his parents, had fallen to his blade.


    After that, her niece took over the reins of the family, continuing the family''s legacy of slave trading.


    While slave trading is considered immoral, it is not against the law as the Queendom permits them. Morever, not even a single case has been filed against this new Duchess so far either. As a result, Kael can only ignore her acts, just like the Queen.


    Back to the present, as the carriage seemed to be going toward the palace, Kael blended into the shadows, following her from a distance.

 Chapter 13: Spying on the eldest wife

    Chapter 13: Spying on the eldest wifeThe carriage of House Aquareld eventually halted at the gates of the imperial palace. The two men, gasped for breath as the driver cracked his whip one last time, signaling them to stop.


    Inside the lavish carriage, Duchess Leona Aquareld, known as the "Duchess of Slaughter," stepped out with an air of authority. Her crimson gown shimmered under the moonlight, a stark contrast to her icy demeanor. Servants scurried to escort her, but she waved them off, striding confidently toward the Prime Minister''s chambers.


    The eldest imperial princess as well as Kael''s first wife, Amanda Flamehart, awaited her arrival. Dressed in the ceremonial robes befitting her station, Amanda exuded an aura of calm strength. Her steely eyes met Leona''s as the duchess entered the chamber.


    "It''s been a while, Princess," Leona began, a sly smile playing on her lips as she addressed with her imperial title instead of her ministry title.


    "Duchess Leona," Amanda replied in a bit of displeasure. "I expected your arrival earliest morning two days later. What brings you to the palace at such an urgent hour and that too without sending any letter beforehand about the change of your plans?"


    Leona settled into a chair, ignoring the princess''s cold tone. "Your husband and sisters caused quite the stir in Emberfell. My first cousin, Roselyn, the heiress of the Sinclair House was injured during the commotion. And then, not long after, she was killed. Tragic, really."


    Amanda stiffened, losing her calmness for a bit. "I''m hearing this matter for the first time. I''ll have a talk with my sisters and learn the matter entirely."


    Leona chuckled. "Oh, I''m not angry about that. So, don''t worry. In fact, I''ve wanted to get rid of that little snake for years. She was more of a nuisance than an asset. I''m almost grateful to your sisters and their charming husband for ridding me of her." She said with a dismissive wave. "But that''s not why I''m here. I came to discuss... a more personal matter¡ªregarding you in fact."


    Amanda raised an eyebrow. "Personal?"


    Leona''s smirk widened. "I came to deliver an invitation. There''s a private auction being held by my dear stepmother, the Duchess of Ikaris. Normally, I wouldn''t bother inviting you to one of our family events¡ªyou''ve made your disdain for our practices quite clear."


    Amanda''s jaw tightened. "Then why bother? And why so secrecy?"


    "Because this auction is different." Leona''s voice dropped, her tone almost conspiratorial. "One of the items on sale is an artifact capable of summoning the spirit of the dead. You can speak to them, just once, provided they haven''t been dead for more than ten years."


    Amanda''s expression faltered, a flicker of emotion breaking through her icy facade. "Summoning the spirit?"


    "I thought you might be interested," Leona continued, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. "After all, wouldn''t you like to speak to him again? Your dear, departed former husband, the one that''s holding you back from loving your current husband?"


    Amanda''s eyes flashed with anger. "You''re out of line, Leona," she said, her voice low and sharp.


    "Haha," Leona only laughed, leaning back in her chair. "Come now, Amanda. We''ve been friends since childhood. There''s no need to put on this stoic act for me. I know you''ve never been the same since he died."


    Amanda fell silent, her hands clenched tightly in her lap.


    Leona pressed on, her tone softening ever so slightly. "This might be your last chance. You could finally learn the truth. Why he¡ªa great general, victorious in the Orlon campaign¡ªwas assassinated so suddenly once the war was over? The official story blames rebels, but we both know that doesn''t make sense. He was too cautious, too skilled to fall so easily."


    "That''s..." Amanda''s gaze dropped, her mind racing with memories. She had always harbored doubts about her husband''s death. He had been a hero, the man who had crushed the patriarchal Kingdom of Orlon and cemented the Queendom''s dominance. His assassination, so soon after his victory, had always felt... wrong. But the assassins had either been killed or committed suicide and with them, any hope of uncovering the truth.


    Her fingers traced the simple gold band on her left hand, the last tangible reminder of her late husband.


    "Could the artifact truly summon his spirit? Could it provide the answers I want?"


    Her heart ached at the thought, but her mind screamed caution. The Duchess of Slaughter, despite being a childhood friend of hers, was currently not a woman to be trusted. Yet, the temptation was undeniable.


    Putting her thoughts aside, Amanda focused on the uninvited guest. "What do you want, Leona?"


    The Duchess of Aquareld smiled, her crimson lips turning into a predatory grin. "I have a simple request," she said smoothly. "Pass a mission to your... Queen''s hound¡ªAssassin K, specifically."


    Amanda stiffened. "I don''t know why you think those nonsensical rumors among the nobility social circles are true, but the imperial family has no connection to K."


    Leona let out a low chuckle. "Oh, Amanda, either you''re a terrible liar or a naive woman. The timing of his actions, the targets he chooses... it''s too convenient to be a coincidence."


    Her expression then turned serious. "Just pass Her Majesty this mission, tell her that it is a request from Aquareld House. I want a man named Mark Welsh dead."


    Amanda''s eyes narrowed. "Mark Welsh? Who is he?"


    Leona''s gaze darkened, a flicker of something¡ªanger, or perhaps regret¡ªcrossing her face. "He''s... let''s say he is a precious slave of mine," she said cryptically. "Currently, he is hiding in the imperial city. As for his features, he looks tall, and thin, with blonde hair, and blue eyes. Most importantly, along with the slave brand, he also would have a curse mark on his forehead and should be loitering around the Church for the cure. That''s all you need to know."


    Suspicion filled Amanda''s mind. The Duchess''s tone betrayed deeper emotions, but she kept her face emotionless. "I can pass the message to my mother but there is no way I can ensure that the task will be done. Her Majesty won''t be doing it for free, not even if I request her. The Duchy of Aquareld should offer something else for this task." Amanda said, pushing the invitation scroll on the table slightly forward. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Leona''s smile returned, cold and calculated. "The Aquareld family will relinquish its claim to the throne for the next successor. We''ll back Princess Shiera¡ªthe throne candidate, entirely."


    "What?" Amanda froze, her eyes widening in shock. "That''s not something you would give up lightly. Why is this man so important to you?"


    Leona rose gracefully from her seat, brushing imaginary dust from her gown. "Some questions are better left unanswered, Amanda. Just pass the message to your mother."


    Without another word, the Duchess swept from the room, leaving Amanda behind, her mind racing. "Who is this man?"


    Meanwhile, Kael sitting silently atop a nearby rooftop shrouded in shadows. His sharp ears caught every word of the conversation between Amanda and Leona, his enhanced senses allowing him to eavesdrop while hiding his presence from the guards in the palace.


    As the Duchess''s carriage rolled away, Kael''s eyes narrowed. Mark Welsh... Who is he, and why is the Duchess willing to make such a significant concession to see him dead?

 Chapter 14: Information Guild

    Chapter 14: Information GuildDetermined to uncover the truth, Kael slipped away into the capital''s streets, heading toward a place where secrets were currency: the information guild.


    The guild was a fortress of anonymity, where clerks hid behind masks and wore cloaks. There were some customers who also wore masks and such a scene was commonly seen in this place. Kael entered with a mask on his face, his movements were steady.


    At the front desk, the receptionist glanced up, her expression neutral until Kael placed a platinum badge on the desk. "I wish to meet guildmaster." He said, speaking in a deep tone.


    Her eyes widened in recognition, and she immediately gestured for him to follow her.


    Kael was led to a private office, where a middle-aged woman sat behind a heavy oak desk. Perhaps, she was the only one without wearing any mask. Her warm, familiar smile broke through the formal atmosphere.


    "Aunt Celia," Kael said, removing his hood and the mask.


    Celia''s eyes sparkled with affection. "Kael. It''s been three months since you last visited me in person. I was starting to think you had forgotten your poor foster mother."


    Kael chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing. "How could I forget the one person I trust most in the world?"


    Celia gestured for him to sit, activating a noise-cancellation spell and reinforcing the room with physical barriers.


    As he settled in, Celia leaned forward, her sharp gaze scanning his face. "So, how''s your married life? Must be exhausting to handle those strong-headed princesses."


    Kael sighed, running a hand through his hair.


    "Shiera doesn''t even live with me and spends most of her time in the wilderness. She treats me like a burden. Can you believe that I have only met Amanda two times, one on our wedding day, and the other time when we visited the ancestral time for blessings? Even Seraphina... she doesn''t see me as a man, just someone she needs to protect. She acts distant and formal when we are alone. Melissa acts like a dutiful wife and manages the household affairs very well but I''m not sure she even likes me. She doesn''t exactly spend much time with me and spends most of her time either on house chores or reading novels. Whenever I ask something, she simply agrees. She never expresses her thoughts to me." He speaks of his troubles, mostly complaining about his wives as his marriage life was completely different from how he wanted it to go.


    Celia''s expression softened. "And Laura?"


    "She''s different," Kael said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "She genuinely loves me and stands on my side every time. I spend most of my time with her. But her possessiveness is a bit too much. Also, the Queen wants us to start a family, and... I''m not ready. Not until I find my sister."


    Celia nodded slowly. "Well, marriage life is tough at the beginning for everyone. But you married multiple women who were all imperial princesses, too. So, yeah, it will take time."


    Kael looked at her, his calmness was long gone and he looked like a drunken man at a bar, speaking everything suppressed in his heart. "I know, Aunt Celia. It''s just that before marriage, it was easy for me to lead the life of a guild clerk and a vigilante. My sister knows my secret, and I have nothing to be worried about." The frustration was clear on his face.


    Celia couldn''t do anything but stretch her arm forward and pat the back of his hand. "As I have said earlier, give it more time and everything will fall into place."


    Kael sighed, feeling lighter in his heart than before. "Thank you, Aunt Celia. Now, let''s talk about business. The name is Mark Welsh and his features are..."


    Celia''s eyes sharpened, her demeanor shifting into that of a seasoned guild master. "Consider it done. But, if he is someone connected deeply to Duchess Leona and she wants to kill him at all costs, it will cost resources."


    Without a word, Kael reached into his storage ring and pulled out a heavy bag, setting it on the desk with a satisfying thud. "This should cover it. 50,000 gold coins, a few hundred give or take."


    "It''s more than enough." Celia''s lips immediately turned into a satisfactory grin as she opened the bag, her eyes glittering at the sight. "If your wives knew how much wealth their husband was hiding, they''d probably faint. You act like a pauper who depends on the palace treasury, always depending on your wives to run the household."


    Kael smirked faintly. "That money belonged to the Queen anyway."


    Celia chuckled. "She didn''t give it to you, Kael. You earned it fair and square."


    Kael sighed, his expression turning bitter. "Maybe, but I''ve already earned enough fame from the citizens. Fame won''t fill my stomach, though."


    Celia shot him a sharp look. "Exactly. So stop brooding and let me do my job."


    Kael chuckled softly, nodding. "Thank you, Aunt Celia." Giving her a nod of farewell, he was about to leave, but then he suddenly halted his footsteps after taking a couple of steps toward the door. He turned around. "By the way, do you have any news about my sister?"


    Celia leaned back in her chair, her gaze fixed on Kael with a hint of concern. "Nothing yet," she said softly, regret lacing her tone. "If anything surfaces, you will be the first to know. So, don''t worry."


    Kael shook his head, letting out another deep sigh. "Fine." He turned around to leave but once again halted his footsteps when he almost reached the door. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What is it now?" Celia asked.


    Kael''s expression darkened. "It''s not much of trouble, but I have reason to believe that the Clowns of Ark is targeting me. Not Assassin K, but Kael Moonstone specifically."


    Celia''s eyes widened. "The Clowns of Ark? Those lunatics... they never reveal their client''s identity, even under the threat of death. This is serious."


    Kael nodded grimly. "I need to know who wants me dead and why. It''s not like I pose as much of a threat as Kael Moonstone. See if you can set up any trap for the King Clown to come after me. Those Hat clowns and Wing Clowns are useless to extract any information and stubbornly loyal to their superiors."


    "Understood," Celia nodded firmly. "I''ll inform you."


    After a while, Kael finally returned home.


    As he stepped inside the mansion, Laura rushed toward him, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. "Kael! Where were you? I was so worried!"


    Kael froze for a moment, startled, before patting her back gently. "I''m sorry, Laura. I didn''t mean to make you worry."


    Laura pulled back slightly, her voice trembling. "Do you know how late it is? Eldest Sister Amanda mobilized troops to search for you! Even the Church''s Bishop said he hadn''t seen you."


    Kael was taken aback, suddenly remembering seeing units of soldiers, almost everywhere on his return. He merely thought they were searching for some culprit but didn''t expect it was him.


    From across the room, Melissa watched with a quiet expression of concern. Unlike Laura, she held herself back, but her voice carried a note of restrained worry. "Where were you, Kael?" She asked.


    Kael hesitated for a moment, his gaze flicking between them. Then, without a word, he began rolling up his sleeve, revealing the intricate tattoo etched into his forearm. Melissa observed it curiously.


    The markings glowed faintly, an otherworldly light spilling into the room as the tattoo changed into the shape of a wolf''s head. Before their astonished eyes, a spectral wolf jumped out of the seal, its black fur shimmering with energy.


    Melissa stared at it in shock, Laura''s questions momentarily forgotten as the wolf let out a low growl before sitting beside its master.


    Kael looked at his wives and said, "Let''s welcome Nyx into the family, my Beast companion."


    The spectral wolf gave a side glare at its master and let out a bark. "*Woof* Hello there. Nice to meet you."


    Laura and Melissa exchanged glances, both had different thoughts in their heads. One wondered how her husband managed to tame such a powerful beast while the other wondered how this spectral wolf changed its attitude and became a household dog.

 Chapter 15: A feast at home; Nyx becomes the part of the family

    Chapter 15: A feast at home; Nyx becomes the part of the familyKael sat down in the living room, the spectral wolf by his side. The creature''s powerful presence captivated Laura and Melissa.


    "I intended to go to the Church but while on the way, I remembered about Nyx and tried summoning her from the Darkwood Forest," Kael began, stroking the wolf''s head as the latter closed its eyes, feeling good being petted. "It took some convincing, but it finally agreed to follow me."


    *Woof*


    The wolf barked in agreement, its voice deep and resonant. "Of course, I am loyal to my master! I would follow him to the depths of the abyss if need be."


    Laura blinked in astonishment, remembering the wolf''s terrifying appearance in the forest and its attitude toward them. It forced them to hunt down a dozen boars and roast them before gobbling them up all by itself. She couldn''t reconcile the fierce predator with this almost humorous, talkative companion.


    As Laura studied the wolf more closely, her sharp eyes noticed faint injuries below its dark fur. "You''re hurt," she commented.


    The wolf''s glowing eyes darted to a corner of the room as if avoiding her gaze. "It''s nothing," it growled. "I fought a troublesome opponent in the forest. I''ll be fine by morning."


    Kael nodded, seemingly unconcerned. He reached into his storage ring and pulled out a bundle of high-quality meat and vegetables. "The wolf brought us a gift from the forest," he said, handing the bundle to Melissa.


    Melissa, who managed the household finances, blinked in surprise. "These are high-quality beasts." She examined each flesh of the monsters which seemed to be completely cleaned. "These few belong to a Tier-3 beast, I think a Phoenix Chicken. This is obviously the Boar Meat but based on the quality, it looks like a Tier-4 Boar? And these are various cuts of meat from a Tier-5 beef, No doubt about it. It''s the Ironhorn Cattle. And this meat... Oh my god, it is a Tier-6 Wyvern Meat. It''s incredibly rare and each cut costs like 10-15 thousand gold coins. Where did you find it?"


    The wolf proudly raised its head as it replied, "Well, I know every inch of the corner in the Darkwood Forest. As for the Wyvern, it is a young beast that has yet to learn how to spit flames. It''s not a trouble for my strength."


    Kael smiled. "Take it along with my earnings from the mission. You''ll know how to make the most of it." He then handed her the pouch filled with 1055 gold coins.


    As Kael escorted the wolf to a guest room, which would now belong to Nyx, Melissa turned to Laura, holding the bundle of supplies.


    "Look at all this meat. All of this would atleast be around 30,000 gold coins in the market;" Laura murmured. "How dare that brat try belittling our husband, saying that he is poor and cannot earn ten thousand gold coins in year?" She frowned, anger flickering in her eyes.


    "Forget about it, sister. Shiera wasn''t aware that our husband has a powerful beast companion either. Don''t spoil a joyous occasion with such negative thoughts. Go and have a private talk with the Lord and soothe his worries instead of elevating them with your complaints. Imagine how much he might have been stressed that he was forced to summon that terrifying beast that you described as the one with the same ego as the dragons too. There''s also something I don''t understand."


    Melissa added, running her fingers over the edges of the meat. "Look at the cuts. They were made with a short blade, possibly a dagger, not butcher''s tools. And I seem to remember our husband owning a dagger, which was gifted by our mother, you know for safety. It was a semi-divine dagger and should be able to cut even the Wyvern flesh in the hands of even a plainfolk (one who didn''t awaken any mana), too. He must have spent the past hour in cutting these in order to not spend his reward money."


    Laura clenched her fists, her eyes almost producing a teardrop. "It''s because of that vile mouth of hers. One day, I''m going to teach that brat a lesson she''ll never forget."


    Meanwhile, Kael and the wolf entered one of the guest room. The moment the door closed, Kael turned to glare at the beast.


    The wolf immediately dropped its head, its ears flattening as it whimpered. "Master, I¡ª"


    "Your acting is terrible," Kael interrupted, his tone sharp. "I told you to be friendly, not act like a common house dog. Do you want my wives to suspect that I''m hiding something from them?"


    The wolf whined, bowing low. "Apologies, Master. I''ll do better next time."


    Kael sighed and waved it off. "Alright. I''m going for shower. Behave yourself."


    As Kael headed to the shower, the wolf sat by the bed, its spectral tail swishing back and forth. After a moment, it let out a comical howl. "Why was I such a fool to bond with this human of all people? It''s like I dug my own grave."


    Kael chuckled from the bathroom, shaking his head.


    An hour ago;


    While returning from the information guild, Kael stopped by a secluded clearing. After making sure that no presence of human is there in the five hundred meter radius, he rolled up his sleeve, poured his mana into the glowing tattoo and activated it. With a surge of mana, the tattoo pulsated, and the spectral wolf materialized before him, yawning as if rudely awakened.


    "What is it, Human?" the wolf growled, its tone dripping with irritation.


    Kael smirked. "You''ve had enough time to rest. It''s time to work."


    The wolf bared its teeth. "I work for no one. I do things on my volition or come to your rescue when your life in danger. So, I''m leaving. Don''t disturb me after sunset like this again for no reason or else, I''ll teach you a lesson." The spectral wolf closed its eyes, deciding to leave without even intending to what its human companion had to say.


    Kael''s expression darkened. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, his movements swift and precise. The wolf abruptly opened its eyes, only to see the fist of Kael striking its nose.


    The wolf flew away and crashed into the bushes nearby.


    "You..." Energy surged within the spectral wolf. The translucent aura enveloped its body and it leaped at Kael, swiping its claws at him.


    Kael stood in the spot until it reached him and sidestepped at the last moment, giving a series of punches to its body, breaking its bones in the process.


    Staring at the collapsed wolf, Kael then took out a healing potion and teleported to its body, forcing it to swallow the liquid and heal it. The wolf only got confused by his actions. While it realized that the human is anything but a weakling, it didn''t submit. Kael went on beating it up and then healing it over and over, until it finally submitted, battered and exhausted.


    "You''ll obey me from now on," Kael commanded, his voice firm and unyielding.


    The wolf whimpered in fear and bowed its head in defeat. "I agree, master."


    Kael coldly gazed at it and ordered. "From nowonwards, you will be my cover. Act your part well. Or else..." He went on taking out his daggers and said, "Next time, instead of punches, you will receive the blade cuts." sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The majestic spectral wolf, a Tier-7 beast known to have potential of a dragon, shivered in fear, tugging its tail between its tails and lower its head.


    In the present, the spectral wolf sat on the floor, tearing into chunks of meat with feral delight. It grumbled under its breath, cursing the seal that bound it to Kael.


    "Whoever created that mysterious mark on his hand deserves to rot in the abyss," it muttered, drawing out an amused glance from Kael.


    Meanwhile, at the dining table, Kael''s wives ate in greate delight, Melissa''s expertly prepared meal of those various types of meat softening the tension from earlier events. Seraphina joined them midway, taking her usual calm and regal seat. It seems she left to search for his whereabouts at the Church and later got busy treating a patient. While she acted more understanding of his reasoning, Kael felt a little disappointed as he would be happier if she scolds him. Her nonchalance made him think that she doesn''t care much about him and probably went to Church on Laura''s nagging.


    That little disturbance in his heart was soothed by the tenderness of Wyvern Steak. He enjoyed it truly.


    The tranquil scene was however interrupted by the entrance of another woman. Amanda, the eldest princess, strode in with her trusted guards positioning behind her. Her sharp eyes scanned the room, her irritation evident.


    "You nearly made me turn the entire city upside down," she scolded Kael as soon as her eyes fell upon his figure. "Don''t go wandering off alone like that again. There''s fierce competition for the throne now that our mother is preparing to step down. You need to be more careful."


    "I''m sorry... well, you see..." Kael repeated the same story he had told the others about summoning the wolf. Amanda''s stern expression softened as she too enjoyed Melissa''s cooking, complimenting her culinary skills.


    As dinner ended, Amanda leaned back in her chair, her sharp gaze fixed on Kael. "The real reason I''m here," she began, "is to inform you about a ball event."


    Kael raised an eyebrow. "A Ball event?" After the marriage, this was the first ever invitation of this event.


    Amanda nodded. "I''m invited for the Ball Event at Duchy of Ikaris. The journey will take at least three days by road and more than ten days by sea. Since there are only three weeks left, we will have to leave in two days."


    "What?"

 Chapter 16: Journey on the sea

    Chapter 16: Journey on the sea"What?" Laura frowned, her displeasure evident. "He just came back from a mission," she protested against her eldest sister. "He''s barely recovered after surviving two assassination attempts. He won''t be going anywhere, Eldest sister. Either you can go alone or tell them that you aren''t coming."


    Amanda''s lips turned into a sly smile. "The invitation came to the imperial palace, my little sister. The Queen isn''t going and I have to go in her place. As the Queen''s son-in-law, Kael''s presence is mandatory. He''s expected to attend, and I''ll need him for the dance too."


    Kael didn''t speak anything and Laura''s expression already hardened. "If he''s going, then I''m going with him to protect him."


    Amanda, however, shook her head. "This is a formal event. You didn''t receive an invitation from the organizers, and you''re not a part of the imperial court. The same goes with my other sisters too. None of you can''t attend unless a Ball Event invitation actually comes to Moonstone House. So, it will only be him and me."


    Laura''s glare deepened, but Amanda was unyielding. "Besides," Amanda added, pointing to the wolf still devouring its meal, "he has his new companion to protect him."


    The wolf, which decided to stay oblivious to the conversation, let out a loud belch and wagged its tail, content with the feast.


    Kael couldn''t help sigh inwardly, thinking, "Whenever these wives of mine discuss something, they just take unanimous decisions and don''t even ask my opinion. It is tough to live as a man in this world."


    Two days later, Kael stood outside their home, dressed in formal travel attire. The imperial carriage gleamed in the sunlight, flanked by a hundred elite soldiers.


    Laura stood by his side, her eyes filled with worry. "Be careful," she whispered, clutching his arm.


    Kael lowered his head, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I''ll be back soon. Don''t worry about me."


    As he climbed into the carriage, Laura watched it roll away, her heart heavy with unease.


    "He''ll be fine," Melissa said, patting her shoulders. "Don''t need to unnecessarily worry about his safety."


    Laura shook her head. "It''s not that. I don''t know why but I feel uneasy about this trip." After a brief pause, she mumbled. "Maybe, it''s because he''ll be away for two whole months."


    Seraphina silently stared at her possessive sister, shaking her head with a sigh.


    One week into their voyage, Kael sat quietly on the deck of the ship, holding a fishing rod over the vast expanse of the sea. The rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the hull filled the air.


    Nearby, the spectral wolf lay sprawled out on the wooden planks, its ears drooping as it groaned. "This endless stupid water... I miss the forest. The trees. The scent of earth. Why did I agree to this? I should have stayed at home and let him summon me directly when he needed me."


    Kael heard its complaint but didn''t respond and only slightly smirked in amusement. Suddenly, he felt a sharp tug on the fishing line. "Finally," he muttered, gripping the rod tighter as he tried to reel it in.


    The resistance was quite strong.


    In an instant, he analyzed the strength needed to pull the fish to the boat and started acting.


    As the line pulled tight, Kael planted his feet firmly and acted as if he was struggling to maintain his balance.


    "Wolf, help me!" Kael called, pretending to be weaker than he planned


    The spectral wolf lazily opened one eye and huffed. "I''m too seasick for this nonsense. Handle it yourself, human." While it indeed acted as a spectral wolf with a high ego, its current situation isn''t good at the moment either. Kael also understood it too.


    Kael let out a roar as the rod jerked again, nearly pulling him overboard. "Argh..." Just then, a firm hand grasped the handle of the rod.


    Kael turned to see the figure and his face lit up. "Captain Cain." His expression looked like he was elated to see the figure.


    Cain, a towering man with a broad chest and an air of authority, grinned down at him. His weathered hands gripped the rod firmly. "Let''s see what you''ve got here, Lord Moonstone."


    Kael let go of the rod and Captain Cain pulled against the immense force, overpowering the creature below. With one last heave, a massive yellowfin tuna king broke the surface, glistening under the sun.


    The deck erupted in cheers as sailors gathered to marvel at the catch. The commotion drew Amanda from her cabin. She stepped onto the deck, her gaze falling on the enormous fish. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Cain straightened and saluted. "Your Highness, Lord Moonstone has caught a beast worthy of legend."


    Amanda''s eyes widened in surprise. "Kael caught that?"


    Kael shook his head modestly. "No, I just caught it. Captain Cain did the most of the work."


    Cain chuckled, his deep voice carrying across the deck. "Nonsense. It was your keen sight and patience that made this possible. I merely lent a hand." He then shifted his gaze to the princess. "Your Highness, Lord Moonstone was worried about your seasickness. As this particular fish is also known to cure seasickness, he was looking for it for several days and eventually, fate smiled upon his efforts." The spectral wolf''s ears perked all of a sudden upon hearing that it cures seasickness. It couldn''t help but swiftly raise its head to look at the large fish on the deck.


    Amanda''s expression softened as she glanced at Kael. A faint smile crossed her lips, but her eyes betrayed a mix of emotions¡ªgratitude, discomfort, and something she couldn''t quite name.


    "Well done, Kael," she said softly before turning to the crew. "Prepare this fish immediately. Make sure it''s cooked to perfection."


    She returned to her cabin, leaving the bustling deck behind. Sitting alone on her bed, Amanda ran a hand through her hair. Her mind replayed the scene on the deck, and a quiet murmur escaped her lips.


    "He''s trying so hard," she said to herself, staring at her reflection in the mirror hanging on the cabin wall. "Even with his weak strength, he works tirelessly to care for me. And yet... I can''t return those feelings."


    Her voice paused as she leaned back against the headboard, a deep sigh escaping her lips. The sounds of the lively deck faded into the background as the ship sailed steadily onward.


    As Kael stared at the massive yellowfin tuna king now being prepared in the galley, he couldn''t help but replay Captain Cain''s earlier words.


    "That fish''s eyes cure seasickness?" Kael asked, still puzzled. "I didn''t plan for that. It''s just a coincidence I caught it."


    Cain crossed his muscular arms, his expression warm but firm. "I''m aware of it. I apologize for doing it on purpose."


    Kael tilted his head, confused. "What do you mean?"


    Cain leaned closer, his voice lowering. "You''re her husband, Lord Moonstone. Whether you admit it or not, she needs you. I wanted her to see you as someone she can rely on, someone who can help her move forward from her painful past."


    Kael''s curiosity was piqued by his explanation. Though he knew bits of Amanda''s history, the details eluded him. "Her past?"


    Cain nodded solemnly. "The late General Klaus. He was more than a husband to her¡ªhe was her best friend, her first love, her protector, her partner in everything."


    Cain''s voice softened as he recounted the story. "General Klaus was born a commoner but served the royal family as a loyal servant. The General and Her Highness grew up together¡ªhe was always by her side. When Her Highness was groomed to become a duchess, he enlisted in the army, determined to prove himself. At just 24, he became the youngest general in the Queendom, leading armies with unmatched skill. Imagine a male fighting against all odds and attaining such a position at a young age. Even her Majesty couldn''t help but recognize his brilliance and approved their marriage despite the class divide."


    Kael listened intently as Cain continued.


    "But during the war with Orlon Kingdom, The General was assassinated in his own tent. The official report blamed rebels, but the truth has always been unclear. Her Highness... she was devastated. She buried her pain under work, throwing herself into politics to avoid the memories."


    Cain''s voice lowered further. "She still carries that pain, Lord Moonstone. I''m aware of the circumstances of your marriage but I truly wish her to forget that pain and move on. We are going to be on this journey for two months. It is a perfect opportunity for Lord Moonstone to win her heart."


    Kael felt sympathy for her but that doesn''t mean he would force himself to love the woman who still is in love with her late husband. But then again, she is his wife and he had to try his best to ease her pain at the very least. "I... I''ll try to be better to her," he said quietly.


    When the meal was ready, Kael sent a female soldier to Amanda''s cabin to invite her to join them. However, the soldier returned alone.


    "Her Highness said she''d prefer to rest as she just took her medicine for seasickness," the soldier explained.


    Concerned, Kael decided to check on her himself. But when he knocked on the cabin door twice, there was no response from her. Entering the cabin, he immediately noticed her pale complexion and sweatdrops on her forehead. She lay curled on her bed, her breaths shallow and labored.


    Kael knelt beside her, his hand hovering over her arm. "She''s burning up," he muttered. "Medicine overdose?"

 Chapter 17: Castle of Ikaris

    Chapter 17: Castle of IkarisKael pressed his palm gently against her skin, channeling his energy into her body. The warmth of his energy flowed through her, nullifying the harmful effects of the medication and restoring balance to her system. Her breathing steadied, and her fever began to subside.


    Amanda''s eyes fluttered open briefly, and her vision blurred for a moment. However, she did see her husband''s face.


    "Kael..." she murmured weakly before her eyes closed again, this time, drifting into a peaceful sleep.


    "Well, she looks alright now. Let''s just leave." Satisfied, Kael stood and quietly exited the cabin, leaving her to rest.


    A few hours later, Amanda awoke feeling remarkably better. Her headache and nausea had vanished, and for the first time in days, her mind felt clearer than ever. She vaguely remembered Kael''s face and his warm touch but dismissed it as a feverish dream.


    Curious, she stepped onto the deck and found Kael arm-wrestling Captain Cain.


    Kael gritted his teeth as he struggled to move Cain''s hand even an inch, going as far as taking the help of another hand but to no avail. Cain, on the other hand, was toying with him, barely putting in any effort. The crew roared with laughter at the sight.


    Amanda''s lips twitched into a faint smile. "There''s no way someone that weak healed me with his internal energy," she thought to herself, shaking her head. "It must have been a dream."


    Another week later, the ship finally docked at the shores of Ikaris. As the ramp descended, they were greeted by the imposing figure of General Martha, the military leader of the Duchy of Ikaris. Her sharp, hawk-like eyes scanned the entourage before bowing respectfully to Amanda.


    "Welcome, Your Highness," she said, her voice pitch was on the higher side but still retained authoritativeness. "The Duchess awaits your arrival at the manor."


    Kael stepped off the ship, his spectral wolf trailing behind him. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael and Amanda arrived at the heavily fortified castle of the Duchy of Ikaris. The grandeur of the structure was matched only by its strategic design, with towering walls, complex defensive enchantments, and armed guards patrolling every corner.


    The two were escorted to the royal guest chamber, a stretching space divided into six separate rooms: one private room for Amanda, another for Kael, one for the servants, one for the elite bodyguards, and two shared spaces¡ªa luxurious living room and a sophisticated art exhibition room filled with paintings of high value.


    Once stepping inside the chamber, Amanda and Kael went their separate ways without any talk. Amanda''s two elite guards positioned themselves outside her door, while a pair of female servants attended to her inside.


    Kael, accompanied by his spectral wolf, was shown to his room. The lavish furnishings and wall hangings made it clear that the guests of the duchess were treated with the utmost care. However, Kael politely refused the services of both the royal servants who had followed him from the capital and the castle servants.


    "I prefer solitude," he said briefly, shutting the door behind him. The spectral wolf dragged itself to his door, became the guard, lay down, and closed its eyes. Nyx was physically and mentally tired from that sea journey and decided to take a rest.


    Inside his room, Kael sat cross-legged on the plush bed and began to meditate. He activated his Aura Sensing technique, allowing him to scan the castle for potential threats.


    Kael''s senses swept through the castle like the gentle wind. He identified numerous experts within its walls¡ªtwo Supreme realm warriors and six others in the Legendary realm. The concentration of such experts was impressive but expected for a Duchess who lives in a fortified castle and not a palace or an estate.


    As he extended his senses further, his attention locked onto a single presence in another guest chamber from the other side of the castle. The aura radiating from this guest was far more powerful than those Supreme realm (Tier-9) experts.


    Before Kael could probe further, the expert''s aura lashed out in response, forcibly reversing the connection. Kael saw a pair of eyes locked onto him and he swiftly cut the link to avoid being exposed.


    He took deep breaths with his heartbeat peaked for a moment, beads of sweat forming over his forehead. "A demigod is invited to the event? Sh*t."


    Meanwhile, in the other royal guest chamber that Kael tried to probe in earlier, an elderly woman sat elegantly with the Duchess of Ikaris, sipping tea from a delicate porcelain cup.


    The old woman''s eyes gleamed in joy as she smiled faintly. "It seems we have an interesting guest in the castle."


    The Duchess raised an eyebrow. "A guest? Do you mean someone among the princess''s companions?"


    "Could be. I''m not sure. He was swift to cut off his connection," the old woman replied. "However, I can tell that he is a man and radiating with life force, perhaps quite young."


    The Duchess''s interest piqued at the mention of a man. "A young man, you say? How intriguing. The princess was the last to arrive, so he must be part of her group."


    "Possible." The old woman nodded. "He''s powerful, though not a threat. There''s no need for concern."


    Curiosity burned within the Duchess.


    "Excuse me, Master. I will just return in a minute." She couldn''t help but excused herself and left the room.


    Under the pretense of welcoming her royal guest, she decided to pay Amanda a visit, taking her young son along for company.


    When she arrived at the guest chamber, her senses subtly swept the room, searching for anything unusual.


    Amanda came out of her room upon receiving the message of her arrival.


    "Greetings, Duchess."


    Amanda greeted her with polite formality, offering refreshments and engaging in cordial conversation.


    "Princess." The Duchess nodded, although her eyes kept on wandering the room as Cain and a few guards came out of their room too to greet the host.


    The Duchess''s scan revealed little out of the ordinary. Amanda''s two elite guards stood resolutely outside, and the strongest presence in the room was the spectral wolf, still curled up and snoring faintly in front of a closed door.


    The Duchess''s lips turned into a faint smile. "A fine beast," she commented, masking her deeper observations. "Though it seems young¡ªperhaps at most, an Exalt realm creature?"


    Amanda glanced at the wolf briefly. She nodded. "It is young but loyal, belonging to my husband."


    The Duchess''s interest shifted slightly. "Ah, your husband. You know the praises about his looks often a part of discussion among the nobles. People say that he could captivate a woman''s heart with a glance and he would invoke a strong sense of protectiveness from the women. Many would express wanting their daughters married off to him but Lady Moonstone was quite fierce and overprotective of him. Her Majesty was indeed quick to act."


    "I''m afraid he values privacy," Amanda replied, keeping her tone neutral. She did not want to extend this topic any further and the Duchess also seemed to get it from her reply.


    "I understand." The Duchess nodded thoughtfully and excused herself shortly afterward, wondering whether her judgment was wrong.


    As she left the chamber, she fell into thoughts. "There were only two presences in that chamber that could be worth mentioning. One is that wolf. And the other is that warrior named Cain, Amanda''s royal knight. Master said that it was a young man and Cain could be one but I can see that he is only at the intermediate stage of Exalt Team (mid-tier-7). Can such a person attract the Master''s attention? I don''t think so. That means there must be someone else in the castle."

 Chapter 18: Exploring the Witch’s Tower

    Chapter 18: Exploring the Witch''s TowerMeanwhile, her son, Prince Xarx, stayed back in the chamber as Amanda returned to her room. He wanted to meet Kael but was afraid to approach the door because of the beast.


    As he stood there in dilemma, Captain Cain approached him to question his intentions. When he spoke about it, Cain asked him to stay there and walked to Kael''s room.


    However, just as he reached a foot distance from the beast, Nyx opened its eyes all of a sudden and let out a threatening growl, revealing its sharp fangs.


    Cain, taken aback by its reaction, took a couple of steps back in a hurry and reached out to the sheath hanging around his waist. But, he didn''t take it out and spoke to the wolf, maintaining politeness. "I apologize, Nyx. The host''s son wishes to meet Lord Moonstone. If you let me, I wish to go inside and inform him."


    Nyx stared at him, narrowing its eyes. Cain felt indomitable pressure on his body to the point of sweating. But, after a few seconds of silence, the spectral wolf nodded, moving to the side and lay down once again.


    Cain slowly walked to the room and stood outside the door.


    Xarx''s eyes lit up in excitement as his admiration for Kael grew. "The Queen''s son-in-law must be incredible to have tamed such a powerful beast, which even this powerful warrior was afraid of." His curiosity about Kael deepened.


    Cain knocked politely and entered when Kael permitted. "Lord Moonstone," he bowed, "the Duchess''s son, Prince Xarx, wishes to meet you."


    Kael, understanding the need to maintain decorum, nodded. "Invite him in."


    Keeping an eye on the beast''s position, Prince Xarx cautiously entered Kael''s room. His excitement only grew further when his senses assessed Kael''s strength. To his shock, Kael was only in the Underprivileged realm, the lowest of all cultivation levels.


    Unable to hide his confusion and excitement, Xarx asked, "Are you truly the master of that wolf, Lord Kael?"


    Kael didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he snapped his fingers and called out sharply, "Nyx!"


    The spectral wolf, previously lazing with an air of indifference, jolted upright as though struck by lightning. It rushed to Kael''s side, its massive form crouched low in submission.


    "Master," the wolf said with a slight tremor in its voice.


    Prince Xarx''s eyes widened in awe. "Incredible! No wonder the Queen chose you as her son-in-law, Big Bro!" His admiration grew further, and he began addressing Kael as "Big Bro" almost immediately.


    "Uhh..." The change of address from this 19-year-old threw Kael off guard but he composed himself and calmly deflected the praise. "Well, as you can see, I don''t have much talent in magic. So, I guess the Goddess compensated with other talents."


    As their conversation continued, Kael began subtly steering the dialogue toward the affairs of the Duchy. Xarx, eager to impress his new brother from another mother, eagerly shared all the information he knew, from local politics to military movements and even the recent increase in trade activity at the port.


    After their conversation, Xarx proposed an idea. "Why don''t we explore the city together? It would be a good way to learn more about our city."


    Kael paused, wondering whether he should take that offer or not. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the end, he agreed. "Alright. But, I need to freshen up a little bit."


    "Sure, I''ll wait for you, Big Bro." Xarx enthusiastically nodded.


    Leaving the wolf behind in order to keep away attention from the passersby, Kael left with Xarx after asking Cain to pass the message to Amanda, later on.


    Kael and Xarx''s city exploration began at the most famous landmark of the Duchy of Ikaris¡ªthe Witch''s Tower, a majestic seven-story structure that shoots up into the sky like a towering spire, reaching for the heavens.


    Xarx excitedly shared the tower''s history, mentioning that the tower master was his mother''s own teacher. He also revealed that the witch was also in the castle, staying as a guest. Suddenly, Kael realized the identity of the mysterious demigod in the castle.


    When the two entered, they were greeted with warm smiles from the employees. The ground floor buzzed with activity, as it housed the reception area, stores, and servant quarters. The spotlessly clean halls glimmered with magical illumination, giving the place an enchanting atmosphere.


    While they were being shown around, a regal woman in her late twenties passed by. Her sharp features and confident stride drew immediate attention. Xarx greeted her enthusiastically, introducing herself. "Greetings, Lord Sunfire."


    "It''s been a while, Sister Camilla." Xarx also greeted her enthusiastically.


    He then turned to Kael. "Big Brother, this is Camilla Sunfire, my distant cousin, and she is the tower manager here, also the disciple of the Witch, just like my mother."


    "And Sister Camilla, meet Kael, my new friend. He came all the way from Imperial City to meet me," Xarx said cheerfully, hiding Kael''s identity as he wished.


    Kael looked at her. In an instant, he assessed her realm with his aura sensing technique, instead of simple mana sensing. ''peak-Tier-7 and a dual attribute wielder? That''s rare...''


    "Hello, Miss Sunfire," He smiled.


    "Hmm?" Camilla gave Kael a brief glance, her eyes narrowing as she gauged his aura. Her lips turned slightly downward as she realized Kael was in the Underprivileged realm, a level so low it barely registered. Her respect for Xarx wavered, and her tone turned cold.


    "I see. A pleasure," she said flatly, before turning to the staff. "Ensure Lord Sunfire and his friend are escorted properly. I have other matters to attend to." Without another word, she strode away, leaving a chilly atmosphere in her wake.


    "Uhh... Did she just blow us off?" As Xarx looked at her back in a daze, an unfazed Kael simply smiled. "Shall we proceed?"


    Together, they started exploring the tower.


    The Witch''s Tower consisted of Eight levels, each surpassing the last in significance and mystery. Almost every level has a public space for visitors as well as normal disciples of the tower and a restricted area for elite disciples and special servants of the tower.


    1) Zero Level: The entrance hall, reception, stores, and servant quarters were bustling with activity on the ground floor. This area functioned as the heart of the tower''s public operations.


    2) First Level ¨C Library and Archives: The public library contained thousands of books, ranging from general knowledge to historical texts. The restricted section housed ancient tomes, magical manuscripts, and scrolls of immense value. Kael couldn''t help but pay attention to the guarded doors leading to the restricted area, feeling the heavy aura of the magic wards protecting it. However, since they weren''t allowed there, he could only shrug it off and leave.


    3) Second Level ¨C Alchemy Laboratory: This floor was a mixture of museum and workshop. The public section displayed cauldrons and apparatus from different eras. The restricted area, however, was heavily warded and contained rare ingredients and enchanted tools for advanced alchemy. Once again, Kael and Xarx weren''t allowed inside there and were only informed by their escort regarding the things available in the restricted section.


    4) Third Level ¨C Spellcasting Chambers: The escort guided Kael and Xarx through isolated chambers designed for spell practice. The public chambers were simple yet durable, while the restricted chambers offered advanced training with armored puppets as sparring partners. Once again, they were denied entry into the restricted section and Xarx decided to stop asking from then onwards.


    5) Fourth Level ¨C Enchanted Gardens: A breathtaking variety of plants filled this level. The public garden boasted flora from around the world, while the restricted section was protected by barriers and contained mystical herbs and elemental crystal flowers capable of amplifying magical attacks.


    6) Fifth Level ¨C Guardian Constructs and Training Grounds: This combat-centric level had two arenas. The public arena used randomized elemental landscapes for training, while the restricted arena allowed users to select specific elements. Golems and gravity-enhancing magic added further challenges to combatants.


    7) Sixth Level ¨C Astral Observatory: A mesmerizing level dedicated to celestial studies. The public section featured a magnificent observation dome with high-magnifying telescopes. In the restricted area, a small library contained scrolls detailing secrets of the universe gathered by ancient sages.


    8) Seventh Level ¨C The Witch''s Sanctum: This final level was almost hidden in the clouds, completely restricted even to most tower disciples. It was a magically enchanted space resembling a grassy hill with a serene waterfall and a stream. Atop the hill stood a simple yet mystical hut¡ªhome to the current tower master.


    When they reached the Enchanted Gardens, Kael paused to admire the elemental crystal flowers, which sparkled with energy. Xarx noted, "These flowers are incredibly valuable. They can channel immense elemental power when used in spells or weapons."


    Kael silently memorized the details, digesting whatever he could learn. Who knows, what information will become useful in the future? What if he had to assassinate someone living in this tower? You never know. Hence, Kael was quite attentive to Xarx''s explanations.


    Xarx, oblivious to his thoughts, chatted happily. "Wait until we see the Astral Observatory! It''s my favorite floor."


    Kael and Xarx reached the highest publicly accessible level, the Astral Observatory. The dome, with its crystalline glass ceiling, revealed a spectacular view of the stars even in daylight, thanks to powerful enchantments. Xarx enthusiastically pointed out constellations and shared tales of ancient sages who studied the stars from this very spot.


    When Kael inquired about the final level¡ªthe Witch''s Sanctum¡ªXarx explained that entry was forbidden unless explicitly invited by the tower master. "Unfortunately, she''s not here right now," he added.


    Kael nodded with an air of understanding. Though he didn''t voice it, the mystery surrounding the sanctum intrigued him, especially those layered spells and runic magic inscribed on the walls in every level they went to.


    Satisfied with the visit, Kael decided it was time to leave. The escort followed them as usual.


    As they reached the tower''s ground floor, Kael spotted Camilla at the reception. Her gaze momentarily met with his gaze and suddenly, a thought popped up in his head.


    While about to walk to the exit, he paused for a moment, looking thoughtfully at the ceiling above. Then, in a casual tone, he remarked, definetly not in a low tone. "You know, Xarx. I''ve heard about the Witch''s Tower possessing an item... something that allows people to talk to the dead. Interesting that it''s being auctioned soon."


    "Eh? Talk to the dead?" Xarx was surprised, his eyes widening.


    Camilla''s ears perked up and she immediately left the desk. In an instant, she teleported to them. Her gaze turned sharply, locking onto Kael. "Who told you about that?" she demanded, her voice low and dangerous.


    Kael met her glare with calm indifference. "It''s a rumor I heard in the imperial city. I think that rumor dragged many people to this place," he replied with a slight smile.


    "Rumor?" Camilla''s brows furrowed, her gaze filled with suspicions. It''s not exactly a rumor. The item''s existence was a closely guarded secret, known only to three people: herself, the Duchess, and the Witch. Camilla''s mind raced. Had the Duchess leaked this information, perhaps manipulating the auction for her own purposes? Kael''s relaxed demeanor only added to her unease.


    "Who did you hear this rumor from?" she asked.


    Kael simply shrugged. "In some inn," he replied cryptically, before walking off with Xarx. "Let''s go."


    Camilla stood still, her thoughts swirling with suspicion. "I need to inform Master about this."


    Kael and Xarx then wandered through the vibrant marketplace of Ikaris, where bustling stalls displayed everything from exotic spices to magical artifacts. The air buzzed with the chatter of merchants and the occasional spark of magic as enchanted items were demonstrated to potential buyers.


    As they strolled, Kael suddenly felt a burning sensation on his arm. It was his tattoo. He winced, clenching his teeth, but the sensation only grew stronger as they moved forward. "What''s going on? This never happened before."


    "Something wrong, Big Bro?" Xarx asked, noticing Kael''s discomfort.


    Kael waved it off. "It''s nothing. Just a cramp," he lied, though his mind raced.


    The burning subsided briefly, only to flare up again as Kael passed an alley. "Hmm?" He stopped, his gaze scanning the area. The pain dulled when he stepped away but grew unbearable when he moved closer. "The tattoo is certainly reacting to something. What is it?"


    Determined to investigate the reason, Kael followed the pull of the tattoo. It led him to a shadowy corner of the marketplace, where a sturdy iron cage was set up. Inside was a teenage girl with disheveled blonde hair, a collar around her neck, and a patch covering one of her blue eyes.


    Kael''s breath caught. The burning sensation stopped entirely when he stood before her cage.


    The girl turned her head toward him, her remaining eye fluttered in fear at his curious gaze.

 Chapter 19: Purchasing a slave

    Chapter 19: Purchasing a slaveAs Kael stood before the cage, his mind raced with memories of his father. He recalled the day he was branded with the tattoo as a child.


    In his memories of roughly 15 years ago, little Kael was seen lying on a stone slab, somewhere in an underground chamber. His stern-looking father was seen standing before him with a scroll in his hand.


    Opening the scroll, he revealed the drawing of a mystical seal, drawn by runic magic.


    "This is the Seal of a mystic summoner," his father''s deep voice filled the room. "An ancient seal belonging to the House of Raiden, created by my ancestor. It will connect you to those who are fated to meet, whether it is a beast or the bearer of the same seal. Should a bearer call for help from the depths of their soul, the seal will respond. Remember, family above everything." His Father proceeded to activate the scroll, and dark energy flew from the scroll and started etching onto Kael''s skin.


    "Argh..." Kael''s scream filled the room for the next minute.


    Back to the present;


    Kael intensely gazed at the blonde-haired girl, wondering about her identity. He couldn''t help but remember the features of the man Duchess Leona wanted to kill. That man, too, was supposed to have blonde hair and blue eyes. Are they related? A question popped up in his head.


    Xarx broke his thoughts with a playful nudge. "Didn''t take you for someone interested in little girls too, Big Bro," he teased, smirking.


    Kael ignored the comment and addressed the shopkeeper. "I''d like to purchase her."


    The girl looked up, fear flashing in her visible eye. Xarx''s comment only increased her fear even more and she trembled at the thought.


    The shopkeeper''s eyes gleamed greedily. "A fine choice, my lord. That''ll be 10,000 gold coins."


    Xarx frowned. "That''s absurd! What''s so special about her that you''re asking for such a ridiculous amount?"


    The shopkeeper chuckled. "She''s still a virgin and, as you can see, quite the beauty, which might only enhance as she becomes a lady. And for her age¡ª" he leaned closer, lowering his voice. "She might be 14 but well-developed as an adult. If not for her eye, I would be asking even 50,000 gold coins!"


    Kael''s expression darkened, but he didn''t hesitate. He threw the pouch filled with more than ten thousand gold coins and took the tome containing the slave magic bound to the girl''s body. "She''s mine now. Release her."


    Once the shopkeeper confirmed the amount, the shopkeeper handed over the tome with a sly grin. "A pleasure doing business, my lord."


    Kael turned to the girl. "Follow me."


    Trembling, she obeyed, fear etched into her every step as Kael and Xarx led her into a secluded alley.


    In the dim alley, the girl shivered, expecting the worst. Her mind raced with horrifying scenarios¡ªwas she about to be violated by him or perhaps the both of them? Her entire body started trembling in fear to the point that she got the urge to pee.


    Kael then looked at her, his voice calm but firm. "What''s your name?"


    "Serestia," she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    "Where are you from?"


    "A mountain village... far from here," she said briefly, her tone guarded.


    Kael sighed. "Not enough." As a last resort, he raised his sleeve, revealing the tattoo on his forearm. "Do you recognize this?"


    Serestia froze, her visible eye-widening. Slowly, she removed the patch covering her left eye. Beneath it was a glowing tattoo identical to Kael''s, branded directly on her discolored, blind pupil.


    Kael''s heart skipped a beat. "So it''s true," he muttered. "You are from the House of Radien."


    "House of Radien? The fallen house that caused chaos everywhere and later got every one of its members executed?" Xarx seemed to be taken aback. He was visibly shocked and he took another look at the girl.


    Serestia''s voice trembled as she spoke. "This... this mark has been with me since I was five. My mother branded me with it. But I don''t know what it means. I''ve never heard of the House of Raiden. I absolutely have no relations with it." Earlier, she was afraid to get violated and now, after hearing Kael''s words, she panicked about her possible execution.


    "Don''t worry." Kael''s expression softened. "The House of Raiden was my father''s house too. I''ll tell you its history later on but what you have to understand is that only direct descendants usually can bear this seal."


    Serestia looked down, confusion clouding her face. "I don''t know anything about that. I grew up in the Blue Mountains, the village of Yer. My mother never spoke of nobility. She... she died when bandits raided our village, three months ago." Her voice broke. "They captured me, sold me to a slave trader... and now I''m here."


    Kael sighed deeply. He took the Tome of Slave magic, channeled his energy, and broke the spellbinding Serestia''s soul. The glowing collar around her neck shattered, and a faint shimmer of light faded from her body.


    "Wha..." Both Xarx and Serestia were surprised by his actions.


    "You''re free," Kael said to the teenager. "I don''t believe in owning people. But you are still a family. So, I helped you. From here on, you can choose your path. You can come with me, or go your own way. It''s up to you." Kael then took out a pouch from his storage ring. "This contained roughly 1000 gold coins. It should be enough for you to get back to your village."


    Xarx looked at Kael, his eyes filled with admiration. In his eyes, Kael''s image grew further.


    As for Serestia, she silently stared at him for a while, her expression unreadable.


    Slowly, she knelt before him, bowing her head low. "My whole village was decimated and I have no home to return. You brought me my freedom. Please... let me follow you, Master."


    Kael regarded her for a long moment, then nodded. "If that''s your choice, then so be it."


    As they exited the alley, Xarx clapped a hand on Kael''s shoulder, trying to lighten the mood. "Big Bro, you sure have a way with people. Now you''ve got a cute little sister following you around too!"


    Kael ignored the jab, his thoughts already moving to the implications of Serestia''s existence. The House of Raiden wasn''t as extinct as his father thought, and moreover, he met the third person who bore the seal of radien, the other person being his sister. His mind naturally wandered with various thoughts.


    After spending another 800 gold coins on Serestia''s clothes, grooming, and a visit to a luxurious salon, Kael and Xarx observed a remarkable transformation. The timid and ragged girl had turned into a proper young girl, exuding the grace of someone born into a noble family. The eye patch was also changed, making it seem more like an accessory than some simple patch that is covering her blind eye.


    Walking beside the two men, she now carried herself with an air of dignity, though the occasional awe in her eyes betrayed her inexperience with the grandeur of the city. Like a cub latched to its mother, Serestia stayed close to Kael at every step as they roamed around.


    Despite their familial connection as distant cousins and learning of her noble heritage, Serestia stubbornly insisted on addressing Kael as "Master". This habit earned the trio more than a few awkward stares from shopkeepers and passersby. The sight of a young girl dolled up and dutifully following a man like Kael gave the impression that he was a perverted aristocrat showing off his "decorated servant." People judge. Kael was familiar with those judgmental gazes and murmurs. So, he mostly ignored them and continued to walk.


    Kael and Serestia eventually parted ways with Xarx after returning to the castle. Serestia''s graceful demeanor caught the attention of the guards and servants as they walked through the halls.


    Upon reaching the royal guest chamber, Kael saw Amanda in the living room instead of her room, sitting on the couch and having tea alone by herself.


    "Kael..." Amanda couldn''t stop herself from raising her voice as soon as she spotted him. "You went outside again without any security?" She scolded him.


    "Didn''t you remember your identity? You know, if people know of your... Hmm?" While scolding him, she suddenly spotted a doll-like girl on his side, hiding behind his body and peeking out as if she were the one being scolded. "Who is that?"


    "Her name is Serestia. I went to the marketplace with Xarx and..." He introduced Serestia and proceeded to explain the circumstances behind the purchase. The princess raised an eyebrow as her gaze lingered on the girl. "You bought a slave?" Amanda asked, her tone cool. "For what? Do you lack women on your side or something? Even if you are a lusty bas*ard, she is a little girl. There is a line you must not cross."


    "It''s not what you think." Kael waved his hands in a hurry, explaining the circumstances. "I bought her after finding out that she''s actually a distant relative from my father''s side. And also, she is not a slave. I freed her from the slavery. She no longer carries the brand."


    Amanda crossed her arms, clearly unconvinced. "Then why is she still here, calling you ''Master''?"


    Kael''s face darkened as he struggled to defend himself. "I can''t control what she calls me. She''s following me of her own free will."


    Amanda snorted, her displeasure becoming evident on her face. "Do whatever you want. Just don''t bring shame to the crown." With that, she turned on her heel and returned to her room, her cold demeanor cutting through the air.


    Serestia watched the exchange in silence. After Amanda left, she remarked with wide eyes, "Master, your wife is so pretty. But... she''s so cold."


    Kael chuckled, ruffling her hair affectionately. "That''s just how she is. You''ll get used to it." After a brief pause, he asked, "Say, can you stop calling me Master? How about Elder Brother, instead? Your address would cause unnecessary misunderstandings."


    Serestia looked down, grabbing her chin as if she were contemplating the matter seriously. "But, wouldn''t that cause more misunderstanding if other servants would address you as Master and I call you Elder Brother?" S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael silently stared at her. In the end, he let out a deep sigh and spoke. "Just address me as Milord or Lord Moonstone as others then."


    "Understood, Milord," Serestia giggled in happiness.

 Chapter 20: Serestia’s talent

    Chapter 20: Serestia''s talentKael realized Serestia needed guidance and structure to integrate into her new life. He entrusted her to the group of servants he had brought from his mansion. "Teach her the basics of etiquette and household management," he instructed them.


    Serestia pouted. "But I already know how to cook and clean, Milord."


    "Then learn how to do it like a noble," Kael replied with a grin.


    He also approached Captain Cain. "I need a favor. Can you provide Serestia with basic combat training? She has a noble ancestry, so I don''t want her to act like a maid. It would be best if she could become a warrior, whether to protect me or herself."


    Cain raised an eyebrow but nodded. "I''ll do my best, Lord Moonstone. However, she is past the age to start the combat training. The basics will be akin to hell to her. You''re sure she''s up for it?"


    Kael glanced at Serestia, who was talking animatedly with the other servants, her energy and determination shining through.


    "We''ll have to see if she can endure it," he shrugged nonchalantly.


    The next day, early in the morning, when the appearance of light illuminated the sky, and the sun was still hiding below the horizon, Kael observed the training session of Serestia. Captain Cain carried a bunch of weapons and threw them down on one of the castle''s open-air platforms.


    "Pick up a weapon you like," Cain said, pointing at the blades.


    Serestia, who had never trained before, stared at the weapons and walked toward the biggest of them, picking up the broadsword. "This looked the strongest of them." However, as she attempted to abruptly raise it above her waist, she let go of it immediately. The sword fell to the platform, and she lost her balance, falling to her butt. "I''m sorry." She hurriedly stood up and bowed to Cain.


    Kael stood in his place, crossing his arms to his chest. "That was too heavy for her." He muttered under his breath, his expression continuing to stay indifferent.


    Captain Cain then took the initiative to pick up a lightweight saber and handed it to the girl. "Try this instead."


    Serestia tilted her head, confusion taking over her face. "What is this weapon? It doesn''t look strong and its shape looks like it is used to stab. Can I protect Milord with such a weapon?" She questioned her instructor.


    Cain nodded firmly, exuding confidence from his body. He took back the saber from her hand and looked down at the broadsword near his feet. "Watch me, kid." The 7-Tier Experts went on changing his grip to reverse as he pointed the saber at the broadsword. His muscles bulged, and veins almost popped out as he stabbed into it. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The saber''s pointy end struck the broadsword''s blade made of high carbon steel, and the vibration released from the collision created a wave of sound, forcing the teenager to step back and shut her ears, involuntarily closing her eyes, too. But, when she opened them and looked down, the broadsword was broken into two halves completely. Most importantly, it wasn''t even done by a slash but a stab that focused on one point. "This was the potential of a saber, Miss Serestia. If you use the same technique in mid-air along with other techniques, you can even create a tornado without having a wind element. Here, take it." Cain immediately threw it at the girl who caught it in reflex.


    Serestia tightly gripped the handle, becoming serious. "I''m ready."


    Cain nodded with a smile, taking a leap to increase the distance between them before conjuring an energy saber out of mana. "Come at me."


    Serestia, at once, charged at him.


    "She''s fast," Kael mumbled, widening his eyes in surprise.


    A few hours later;


    Kael and Captain Cain observed a sparring session in one of the closed training rooms. A female knight, skilled and experienced, was sparring against Serestia, both carrying wooden sabers. Though Serestia''s movements were unpolished and lacked strength behind her swing or stab, her raw speed was undeniable.


    Each of her swings carried enough speed to leave a tiny bruise on the knight''s arm despite the fact that the latter was a Tier-5 swordswoman while Serestia was only in Tier-1. Her hit rate was close to 90%.


    Still, the female knight''s superior technique and strength always kept her closer to victory. Serestia, breathing heavily and dripping with sweat, accepted her defeat after her stamina depleted to almost nil. She didn''t even have enough strength left to carry her wooden saber anymore. Using it as a balance support, she stood on the spot, taking heavy breaths while her opponent waited in patience.


    The Knight was waiting for her submission. She stood there like a statue, observing Serestia. "Should we stop?"


    Xarx''s lips widened to a grin as he watched the blonde girl.


    "Big Bro," he teased, "your little bride is pretty strong for her age, I must admit. She lasted for twenty whole minutes."


    As his voice wasn''t low and the enclosed space made everyone present in the room, the comment drew raised eyebrows from Cain, a few nearby soldiers, and a couple of Kael''s servants, who exchanged curious glances. Even Serestia overheard the remark. Her balance on the wooden saber faltered, and she almost lost her footing.


    Kael shot Xarx a glare. "Stop talking nonsense," he said, his tone sharp.


    Serestia, taking deep breaths, got back on her feet and resumed her stance. However, it was clear her focus was divided as Xarx continued his playful banter.


    "It''s not even six hours since she started training and seeing how she was holding against her opponent so far, I can see she''s got potential," Xarx mused aloud. "In a few years, she''ll be strong enough to protect you, Big Bro. And she''ll definitely grow up to be a beauty¡ªstrong and pretty. A perfect combination."


    Kael sighed, irritated. "Five wives are already more than enough trouble for me. If I were to consider a sixth¡ªwhich I won''t¡ªit would have to be someone strong enough to defeat the spectral wolf, much less a girl who couldn''t even give a tough fight to a Tier-5 Knight."


    The moment those words left Kael''s mouth, Serestia''s demeanor shifted. All of a sudden, as if she replenished her strength, she gripped the saber tightly and charged forward with a roar. "Argh..." As she crossed half the distance, Kael saw something strange. "Hmm?"


    It wasn''t just him, even Cain, Xarx, and other knights saw a glow beneath her eyepatch. And suddenly, black sparks of lightning enveloped her body, dancing on her skin. Her speed increased by ten times, and it only took a fraction of a second for her to cover up the gap, but due to the loss of control, she collided with her opponent head-on, who couldn''t evade her in time. The Knight pushed away a few meters before she stopped sliding while Serestia crashed to the floor, falling unconscious.


    Kael''s expression changed, his eyes widening in shock. "There''s only one person I heard possessing the black lightning element, though. Ares Radien, the founder of Radien House and the first-ever assassin in history, achieved the level of Phantom." As realization dawned upon him, Kael muttered under his breath. "She isn''t fitted to wield a saber. She is born to wield a dagger."


    "Hmm? Dagger?" Xarx, who stood beside him, turned his head and looked at Kael.

 Chapter 21: Duchess Leona’s new proposition

    Chapter 21: Duchess Leona''s new propositionAs the sparring session ended, everyone else dispersed from the room while Serestia was carried away to the healer. The two nobles remained alongside Cain. Xarx turned to Kael. "By the way, Big Bro, I forgot to tell you something. I have a message from my mother."


    "What is it?" Kael asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "The Ball event is going to be tomorrow night," Xarx replied, leaning casually against a pillar. "You''ll need to dance with the princess. It''s a tradition, after all."


    "Yeah, I''m aware of it." Kael groaned inwardly, already anxious about the event. Commoners or the soldiers aren''t aware that ball events are where the politics of a Queendom happens the most. Of course, while it is a good source of information for an assassin like Kael, the problem is that not everything he hears is true. In fact, a large amount of such information is completely based on speculation. A huge amount of gossip and rumors would also start from this very event. Kael, who doesn''t like complications, naturally hates such events but he cannot do anything this time to even try to skip it using an excuse as he is an esteemed guest from the imperial city.


    After a while, Kael and Amanda were seen in their royal guest chamber, practicing for the Ball event. Although Kael was familiar with the formalities of noble dances from past occasions, his steps were slightly out of sync with Amanda''s fluid movements. The princess, calm and composed, took the lead while Kael focused on matching her rhythm. "Step and turn, step and bow, glide to the left, now step back slow. Forward now, and turn once more, pause, and rise¡ªgraceful to the floor. Repeat."


    As they danced, their eyes met several times, but Amanda''s gaze held an unsettling mix of pity and reluctance. Kael, however, maintained his demeanor, choosing not to confront her emotions. Instead, he played the part of an oblivious husband, keeping the mood light and formal.


    The soldiers and the servants either quietly stood in the corner of the living room or returned to their rooms as if they didn''t exist. The spectral wolf continues to nap, ignoring their weird circus moves.


    But then, their practice was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of the Duchess of Aquareld, a fellow royal guest who sought to pay her respects to the princess.


    Her perfume blew through the chamber, subtly altering the expressions of every man who caught its scent. For most, it induced a trance-like infatuation, making them unable to look away from her.


    Kael, however, remained unaffected, his demeanor unchanged. The Duchess immediately noticed this anomaly.


    "Leona of Aquareld House greets the envoy." "Greetings, Duchess Leona."


    "Lord Moonstone." "A pleasure to meet you, Duchess."


    After exchanging formal greetings, the Duchess unexpectedly turned to Kael with a bold question:


    "Do you love someone?"


    "Pardon?" Kael blinked in surprise, his gaze shifting briefly to Amanda, who also appeared taken aback.


    Before he could answer, the Duchess elaborated, her lips turning into a knowing smile. "Today, I wore a special perfume known as Cupid Essence. It only affects the opposite gender, and whoever smells it would become infatuated with me as long as I was there. Only two types of men can resist its effect: those with cultivation higher than the Elite realm (Tier-5) or men truly in love with someone."


    Kael''s response was steady and measured. "Well, I''m married, Duchess. I love my wives."


    The Duchess tilted her head, clearly unconvinced. "Even a mother cannot love all her children equally, let alone a husband with multiple wives¡ªespecially in political marriages. Surely, you have a favorite among them. Tell me, who is it?" S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Amanda''s brows furrowed, and she was about to interject when Kael''s voice cut sharply through the room.


    "My personal life is none of your concern, Duchess," he said coldly. His piercing gaze left no room for argument.


    All the spectators in the room were taken aback by his reaction. Who was that lady? It is the Duchess of Slaughter. Even powerful adventurers cower in fear in her presence. And what is he? A guy who could be killed by even the weakest wild boar.


    For a moment, he gave the image of a lamb that was facing a tigress.


    "If you excuse me, I need to freshen up and meet Xarx as we planned," Kael excused himself, bowing politely to the Duchess and giving a nod before leaving to his room, shutting it.


    Once Kael was gone, the Duchess turned to Amanda with a sly smile. "It''s either the Third Princess or the Fourth Princess, isn''t it?" she mused, her tone playful yet pointed.


    Amanda''s expression darkened. "That''s enough, Leona. You''ve overstepped."


    The air between them grew tense as Amanda''s displeasure was evident. The Duchess, unbothered by the princess''s stern tone, simply chuckled, her curiosity about Kael seemingly satisfied.


    "Alright. Let''s talk in private."


    The Duchess of Aquareld, having subtly tested Kael earlier, now revealed the true purpose of her visit as she and Amanda entered the princess''s room. After settling in, the Duchess''s tone turned serious, and she leaned forward slightly. "Ok, I have something to tell you."


    Amanda also turned serious, seeing Leona''s sudden change of behavior. "What is it?"


    "Things became complicated as Mark Welsh removed his curse and achieved a breakthrough. There are significant losses from our side. So, I need K''s help more than necessary." She said, her tone turning deeper and deeper as she continued to talk while her fists clenched tightly, controlling her anger.


    Amanda furrowed her brows. "I believe I have already sent you the reply. I passed the message to my mother as you requested, but the Queen firmly refused to come into your private matters, and she denied any involvement with K. In return, she lashed out at me instead."


    Leona nodded, her expression unchanging. "I know. But this time, I''m here with another proposition that will change her mind and also yours. Believe me. As long as you and Kael have not consummated your marriage, you can force the Queen to revoke your marriage too."


    Amanda''s expression darkened, her posture stiffening as she asked coldly, "Why would my mother even consider such a thing?"


    The Duchess''s lips curved into a sly smile as she answered, "I received a piece of news that there''s an item in the upcoming auction¡ªa priceless treasure created by Witch herself that guarantees a breaking through to the Supreme realm. You know how much the Queen covets such a breakthrough. If you offer that item in exchange, you can secure your freedom from this... loveless arrangement. And I would help you in securing this time, along with the other one."


    Amanda''s eyes widened at the shocking suggestion, her breath catching. "Why would you help me with something like this?"


    The Duchess''s smile turned cryptic as she explained, "I told you before, right? All I want is the death of one man. Present it to the Queen in exchange for your freedom and ensure a deal with her secret hound."


    Amanda''s brows furrowed as she considered the implications.

 Chapter 22: An assassination attempt on Amanda; Will Kael’s secret comes to light?

    Chapter 22: An assassination attempt on Amanda; Will Kael''s secret comes to light?Amanda sat in silence, her mind a whirlwind of calculations. The idea of escaping her current predicament was tempting, especially if it meant avoiding further entanglement in her marriage with Kael.


    However, Leona''s allegation of her mother was puzzling to her. It was well known that K was the enemy of the throne, targetting the criminals who the Queen pardoned. Everyone was also aware of the Queen''s personality. She can be as straightforward as a person can be. How could she have such shady dealings with an assassin? But Leona was quite confident that K was the Queen''s hound. She couldn''t help but feel like she was standing in a fog; the surroundings were blurry to her. Was the Queen also playing politics behind her back? Was K not as noble as people thought him to be? Or was this woman pulling her leg?


    A lot of thoughts flooded her head for a while. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Fine," she finally said, her voice steady but cold. "I''ll consider your terms. If you assist me in claiming those two items, I''ll make sure my mother accepts your request, whether K is involved or not.


    "Good." The Duchess''s smile widened, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. She nodded and rose, preparing to leave. "You''ve made a wise choice, Amanda. Trust me, this will be worth it."


    Unknown to the women, Kael had been quietly eavesdropping on their entire conversation from his own chamber. The noise-canceling barrier created by Duchess Leona couldn''t stop his technique, "Whisper of the Wind." The ability allows him to hear even the faintest sounds carried on the wind. Unless the space itself is disconnected, he could hear everything he wanted to.


    Usually, he would feel blessed to learn his technique when he was a child. But, as he listened to Amanda''s resolve, his heart sank. While he understood Amanda''s plight, the idea of her willing to end their marriage left him feeling a little bit of disappointment.


    "She wants to break free, huh," Kael thought to himself, his expression unreadable. "If that''s her wish, I won''t stop her. If anything, I will help her instead. That''s the least I can do."


    Kael sat cross-legged on the bed and closed his eyes, formulating a plan. To break free, she wants those two items. But what if Amanda failed to secure the items through the auction? He would be left with no choice but to intervene. "I would steal them and ensure they found their way to her just before we board the ship¡ªsecretly and without implicating her in any theft." He murmured softly to himself. "I hope that they don''t fall into the hands of those with a demigod as a protector."


    The night had settled quietly over the castle, the only sound being the faint rustling of leaves outside. Inside the royal guest chambers, everyone was asleep, unaware of what was going on outside. In the dead of night, a group of highly skilled assassins infiltrated the heavily guarded castle. They made their way to the royal guest chambers on the Western Quarters, where Kael and his wife were staying.


    With deadly precision, they released a potent into the living room, a smoke-like substance that quickly spread to all the rooms in a matter of seconds, overwhelming everyone''s senses. One by one, the guards and servants succumbed to the intense odors, slipping into unconsciousness.


    But not everyone was affected. Kael completely resisted it but stayed in his room. His connection with his spectral wolf remained strong, and he ordered the beast to go into invisibility. As it disappeared from their eyes, the assassins assumed that its summoner, Kael, had probably fallen dead from the toxic gas and proceeded to intrude into the princess'' chamber.


    It was then Cain left his room, drawing out the sword with a roar. "How dare you?" He was visibly angered at the five intruders and charged at them.


    The leader of the group spoke. "I''ll take care of him. You go and kill the princess."


    Kael''s facial expression turned cold when he heard those words. He closed his eyes, telepathically connected to the wolf instantly. "Go and protect Amanda."


    The spectral wolf stayed in its invisible form and made its move.


    Meanwhile, Cain, the seasoned warrior, struggled slightly as he fought against the effects of the smoke that invaded its body but clashed his sword with the leader of the assassins.


    One of the assassins was about to reach her room door, and Cain shouted in panic, "No..." The master assassin of the Tier-7 realm smirked under his mask, pushing him back with the dagger, and then lowered his body swiftly, slashing at the captain''s waist. Cain, who didn''t wear equipment, had his flesh cut off, and blood gushed out from his abdomen. "Argh..." he roared in pain.


    It was at that moment the spectral wolf, invisible and silent until now, materialized and pounced on the assassin that tried to enter Amanda''s room, tearing through the air with a speed that left the attackers in panic.


    "Sh*t... This beast is still there. That means Moonstone is alive." The assassin leader panicked a little bit as one of his subordinates fell to death with the wolf crushing his neck under its sharp teeth.


    Nyx threw away the assassin''s body and growled at the assassin leader, guarding the door. "Grrrr..."


    Cain, meanwhile, hurriedly gulped down a healing potion and closed off his wound. He took his sword from the floor. "I appreciate your help, Nyx."


    The assassin leader spoke. "Plan change. You two handle the warrior. I will take care of this beast. Number 145, you kill the princess at all costs.


    His three remaining subordinates nodded in unison.


    As the assassin leader planned, with two of them engaged Cain as planned, trying to subdue him, and he kept the beast locked onto him, the last remaining assassin managed to slip inside her room filled with smoke.


    The chaos reached its peak as the castle''s guards began to scramble in response to the commotion.


    One of the assassins reached Amanda''s seemingly unconscious form, ready to strike her.


    However, Kael appeared out of nowhere, cutting through the smoke, his figure materializing as if summoned by fate. Without hesitation, he intercepted the assassin''s path and caught the dagger with his bare hand.


    The assassin was taken aback, looking at his appearance. "You... How?" The assassin, his eyes wide with surprise, attempted to pull back. But he couldn''t do it. Kael''s grip on his dagger was too tight. All of a sudden, his legs became weak, and he started to shiver, fear creeping up his spine.


    Kael''s eyes were cold, filled with killing intent. He raised his hand, dark energy enveloping it and transforming it into a sharp blade. "Goodby... Hmm?"

 Chapter 23: Because I’m your husband

    Chapter 23: Because I''m your husbandAs Kael heard a groan from behind at that moment, he glanced to the side, watching his wife. His killing intent instantly vanished and so was the dark energy over his left hand.


    "Kyaaa..." An involuntary scream escaped from Amanda, followed by her shout, "Who is it?"


    Kael acted like himself, becoming a weak noble all of a sudden, and shouted with his hand shivering, pointing the confiscated dagger at the assassin, "Don''t... don''t come closer. I''ll... I''ll kill you."


    The assassin fell confused all of a sudden but determined to kill them nevertheless, he successfully reached out for his other dagger and thrust it at Kael.


    Kael moved his body slightly, letting the dagger pierce the right part of the chest. "Argh..." He let out a painful groan.


    "Kael!" Amanda''s vision was almost cleared by his groan, and she swiftly attacked the assassin with a blast of energy, using all her mana reserves.


    The energy beam made a hole out of his chest, destroying the wall behind him, too. The assassin''s corpse fell to the floor with a loud thud.


    Kael lay on the floor, faking his state as if his consciousness was slowly slipping away as the blood poured from the wound in his chest. liquid with a familiar taste slowly entered his mouth, and he gulped it. His wound in the chest was healed almost instantly. However, he didn''t open his eyes but instead concentrated on what was happening outside the room. It appeared the fighting surprisingly ended in the living room, too. Since the assassin leader seemed to be strong enough to go head-on against the spectral wolf, he assumed that they might have run away because of Amanda''s energy beam that caused enough commotion.


    Roughly ten minutes later, his eyes fluttered open, and the first thing he saw was Amanda. He was lying on his bed and she was sitting beside him, her eyes wide with panic and worry. Her hands trembled as she reached for his face, her face pale with concern.


    "Amanda..." Kael whispered weakly, his voice hoarse.


    Her expression softened as she met his gaze, relief flooding her face. "You woke up... Thank the gods." She whispered, her voice shaky. "You... you protected me..."


    Kael managed a faint smile, despite the pain coursing through his body. "Always..."


    Amanda''s eyes were filled with mixed emotions¡ªgratitude, confusion, and something deeper, but she remained silent as she helped Kael sit up.


    The room was filled with the sound of Kael''s shallow breaths for a while before Amanda''s facial expression changed. Her worry turned into anger.


    "You''re so reckless!" Amanda''s voice trembled, her tone sharp. "You know you''re still weak! Why would you do something stupid like that? You could die." She scolded him outrightly.


    Kael lifted his head slightly, his gaze meeting hers with a quiet determination. "Because I''m your husband."


    Her eyes widened for a moment, and she froze. "What?"


    "I''m weak, but I''m still your husband. And as long as that''s true, I will never abandon you. I''ll protect you, even if I have to risk my life." His voice was steady, though he appeared to be still facing pain from the wound. The healing potion can heal the wound, not the pain caused by the wound, although Kael was just acting in order to maintain his image.


    Amanda turned her gaze away, her lips tight with frustration. Her face flushed, and she felt a surge of emotion¡ªconfusion, anger, and guilt all at once. Kael''s words had stirred something inside her, something she didn''t want to acknowledge. She clenched her fists.


    "Stop being so foolish!" she snapped, her voice cracking. "No matter what you do, I can''t acknowledge you as my husband. Save these heroics to the ones who love you back."


    Kael remained silent for a moment, letting her words sink in, but his face never faltered. "I know that but I can''t," he replied quietly.


    Amanda''s chest tightened at the calmness in his voice. "Why?"


    Kael met her gaze, his eyes unwavering. "Because it has nothing to do with strength. I''m not doing it for your approval."


    He paused, his voice softening. "I''ve heard the story of your former husband, from Captain Cain. I know how much you were hurt by his loss. I know I''ll never fill that gap for you, and I don''t expect to. But the fact remains¡ªwe are married. You''re my wife, and I am your husband. That''s something that won''t change. As long as you remain my wife, I will continue to protect you, even if I die in the process."


    Amanda''s breath caught in her throat, and her expression softened slightly, but the vulnerability in her eyes quickly turned to frustration again. "You''re a fool," she whispered under her breath, her voice trembling as tears welled up in her eyes. She quickly turned away, not wanting him to see the struggle behind her words.


    "I hate your guts," she said coldly, her heart heavy.


    Kael blinked slowly, watching her slowly leave the room. Kael allowed himself a rare, private smile, stretching his body as he whispered to himself. "What a great actor I am."


    His mind wandered back to his plans, the things he needed to accomplish. This emotional display would only serve to push Amanda further toward her goal¡ªespecially her desire for the items that could potentially free her from this forced marriage.


    The deeper her guilt, the more likely she would strive to obtain them, and Kael was certain that he could use this to his advantage in the upcoming auction.


    There was actually another way. Displaying his anger and blaming her for his situation. However, he knew that painting her as the villain would only poison their relationship further. This might affect his other wives, Laura and Melissa. And who knows, Amanda might start to try to amend their relationship instead.


    So, he chose guilt instead of anger.


    If he could make Amanda feel the weight of her own emotions, she would become even more driven to secure the items she needed. And once she had those items, Kael could step back. She could find her way out of this marriage, and when she does, Seraphina and Shiera, who haven''t consummated their marriage yet, might also look for ways to annul their marriage. With only Laura and Melissa on his side, his marriage life could become smoother. As for what people think of him later on, he couldn''t care less. He didn''t have a great reputation in the first place.


    But there was also a secondary reason for this little display¡ªone Kael had to consider carefully. The Duchess of Ikaris had been a thorn in his side for a while now, but she was also a valuable pawn in this game. By manipulating Amanda''s emotions, Kael could place the Duchess in his debt. This would give him leverage over her too.


    He could use that leverage, perhaps taking her aid in order to find his sister''s whereabouts. The information guild couldn''t find anything, and he didn''t have much trust in the Queen. As he was stuck in the imperial city even more after the marriage, he needed to have some allies to help him out.


    His mind worked like a finely tuned machine, every piece falling into place.


    S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 24: The Auction (1/3)

    Chapter 24: The Auction (1/3)Kael rested in the guest chambers, his body finally healing from the earlier attack. The ball had been postponed, much to the Princess''s fury, and the Duchess of Ikaris had stepped in, offering an apology of the highest degree. She had sent the finest healers to ensure Kael''s mental recovery, too, all the while maintaining an air of politeness that Kael couldn''t help but find ironic given the circumstances.


    Amanda''s anger was expected, but even she couldn''t ignore the situation brewing in the background. As a politician, she was trained in how to take advantage of the situations, too.


    Before, she had the support of Duchess Leona. And now, she forced the Duchess of Ikaris to assist her in acquiring the Supreme Potion, one made by the witch. She didn''t reveal her knowledge of Spirit summoning treasure to the hostess as it is considered a major secret, compared to the potion.


    Two days later, the auction finally took place, and as expected, it was conducted without delay, as the Witch Tower has nothing to do with the castle''s affairs.


    Kael and his companions made their way to one of the VIP Boxes on the first floor, a space that could comfortably fit over twelve people. Soft, plush four-seater sofas were placed in each box and a perfect view of the proceedings below. The floor was dotted with thirty-two of these exclusive spots, each almost identical to the next, equally spacious, and the auction-house-appointed servant.


    Down on the ground floor, rows of chairs were neatly arranged for the common folk and those without any exclusive invitations. Kael glanced around, noting the subtle distinction between the VIP section and the common section, nodding to his companions, signaling they should take their heads.


    As the guards stood behind, Kael and Amanda sat down on the sofa. He wanted Serestia to sit down with them, which earned a frown from the princess but the teenager refused the offer and stood behind him like a servant.


    The nobles, most of them who were also the guests of the Ikaris Castle, also arrived at different times, one after another, taking their seats. In an hour, all the VIP Boxes were filled and almost three-fourths of the common seatings were occupied too.


    The organizer of the auction, Duchess of Ikaris¡ªAdelina von Eisenfeld/Sunfire, opened her mouth, speaking from VIP Box no. 7. "Before the auction begins, I would like to remind everyone with nefarious intentions that my master, the Witch herself is overseeing the auction. To quote her words exactly: regardless of their identity, those who try to cause trouble in the auction will meet with a tragic fate." She said, raising the glass filled with little red wine. She gulped it in one shot and sat down with a smile.


    Before her warning brought any reaction from the listeners, a regal woman familiar to Kael appeared on the stage, her long scarlet gown combined with expensive jewelry on her exuded an aura of a high-born noble. "Greetings, everyone. I''m your hostess for the evening, Camilla Sunfire. I welcome all of you on behalf of the Witch Tower." She introduced herself, attracting the attention of everyone.


    "The auction is conducted in two stages. The first stage will display the items registered by the customers who put up their items for sale. Regardless of the type, all these items would have a starting bidding of 1000 gold coins. You may request a buyout directly by paying a hundred times the amount, i.e., a hundred thousand gold coins, as long as the bidding war didn''t cross fifty thousand.


    Each of you is provided a paddle. For the first stage, each raise from the paddle will raise the bid amount by 1000 gold coins. For the smooth sailing of the auction, we request not too many people raise the paddles at once. It is best to have a bidding war between two or three, and when the bidding stops, you may join as the new bidder to raise it.


    As for the second stage, only those sitting in the VIP section are allowed to participate. There are only three items displayed. Each item has a different starting price, and neither is there a buyout nor is there a need for the paddle for the exclusive items. The qualified bidders can bid for the item with gold coins and later pay for it with any treasures they own. However, the Witch Tower will provide the value to the treasure.


    Now, let''s begin the auction."


    The following hour was filled with intense bidding wars on the ground floor. No noble joined the bidding as if those items didn''t interest them. But, in reality, they all have women bidding for them on the lower floor.


    Midway through the auction, the hostess took out the next item from the storage ring. "The next item is a dagger." She placed it on the desk for everyone to see its appearance. At one glance, it looked like a dagger with a black blade, or maybe its blade painted in black. However, both Kael and Serestia winced in pain simultaneously. The difference is that Kael grabbed his arm and Serestia grabbed her eyepatch.


    "Hmm?" Amanda looked at both of them, curiosity filling her face. "What happened?"


    "It''s nothing," Kael shook his head. Serestia moved into the corner, trying to manage her pain in the blind eye; the tattoo inscribed on her pupil glowing.


    Kael narrowed his eyes, his senses probing the weapon from the distance.


    Camilla Sunfire, the hostess, spoke. "This is a dagger forged with black titanium, a rare and unyielding metal. It wasn''t just that. This weapon also developed a spirit on its own during the forging process, which was said to be sealed due to its corrupt nature."


    "Princess, can you buy me that using buyout?" Kael suddenly asked, his tone containing politeness while his gaze fixed on the blade.


    "Hmm?" Amanda glanced at him. "Is it for yourself or someone else?" She couldn''t help but ask. A hundred thousand gold coins isn''t a big deal for her but if it was for himself, she would try to convince him as it seemed very dangerous.


    However, Kael surprised her by leaning toward her ear and whispering, "It''s not black titanium. It''s adamantium. Buy it quickly before it falls into someone else''s hands."


    Amanda stared at him with widened eyes. "How?"


    "Just trust me." He replied, not giving any explanation. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She wanted to hear the explanation, but she chose to believe him, considering that it might be a farewell gift from her. She broke the unofficial silence in the VIP box by raising her paddle. "Buy out." Her voice echoed in the hall, causing a momentary silence and eliciting various reactions from the other royal guests.


    VIP Box No. 14;


    Merchant Olivia: "That was the eldest princess, I suppose?"


    Servant: "Yes, it is, Your Grace."


    VIP Box No. 23;


    Duchess of Faelyn (Margarethe Starlight): "What was that princess doing? Destroying the decorum of this place, acting like a brute."


    Heiress of Faelyn (Vivienne Starlight): "She must have really wanted that dagger."


    Margarethe: "Unlikely. The Dagger doesn''t seem that great of an importance. Black titanium might be rare, but not for an imperial princess who was serving as the Prime Minister of the Queendom. As for the spirit sealed inside it, a weapon that could barely be considered a platinum grade wouldn''t be strong either."


    Vivienne: "Perhaps she was trying to show who is the boss here, then?"


    Margarethe: "That seems more logical to me."


    VIP Box No. 31;


    Duchess of Aquareld (Leona Aquareld): "What was she trying to accomplish? Was she attempting to align her personality with the others to make purchasing those items easier for her? No, Amanda isn''t like that, despite how she appeared on the surface. She isn''t one to break the unspoken traditions of the nobles, even for the sake of those precious items, when she has the wealth to acquire them. Does it relate to the sealed spirit? Did she have any prior knowledge about this spirit from Adelina?


    *


    Nobles and commoners likewise found Amanda''s actions strange and murmured about her intentions for a while, but they were quickly downed as the auction continued.


    In the meantime, the item was delivered to VIP Box No.9, and the dagger was wrapped in a cloth instead of keeping it in a sheath.


    Kael was handed the item. Unwrapping the cloth, Kael grabbed the dagger, looking all fascinated as he observed the blade.


    "Is it really adamantium?" The Princess curiously watched the blade. Kael smiled, carefully handing it to her. "It''s worth more than a city."

 Chapter 25: The Auction (2/3)

    Chapter 25: The Auction (2/3)Amanda stared at it for a long time, ignoring the bidding on the ground floor. She was observing it from every angle, confusion filling her face. In the end, she handed it back to him and asked. "Is it really adamantium?" She further said. "No matter how I see it, it doesn''t seem like one. The blade isn''t that sharp, and neither is it heavy. Doesn''t sound anything like adamantium. You might have made a mistake."


    Kael shrugged, storing it in his storage ring. "If it is not what I think it is, I''ll repay the palace even if I had to sell one of our treasures. But that will never happen, Princess."


    "What?" Amanda was taken aback by Kael''s response. She didn''t expect him to exude so much confidence, a side she was seeing for the first time. Staring at him for a few seconds, she asked, "You handled an adamantine blade before?"


    Kael cast a sidelong glance at her and nodded. "My sister inherited our ancestral sword, made of Adamantium and Elerium alloy. I played with it when I was a child, well, until she formally inherited the weapon. Adamantium might be one of the densest materials in the world, but the one that has developed spirit is different. Of course, the weapon spirit''s grade is important. The higher the concentration of adamantium alloy used in forging the weapon, the higher its grade. The high-grade spirits have high egos, and the ones with a high ego would also bear the material density. The fact that this is so light means the spirit sealed inside the weapon is high-grade. That also means that the weapon blade itself has a high concentration of adamantium." He crossed his legs, finished off his explanation, and proceeded to calmly watch the auction.


    Amanda took a glimpse at confident Kael. He looked different from his usual self, a reckless individual who makes a mess despite his good intentions, which then forces his wives to clean up his mess in the end. Her mother believes that he is an anchor that ties her and her siblings together. Moreover, the Moonstone House Bloodline is said to be quite powerful. But for her, he is more of a burden to her.


    However, the invisible aura emitting from him while he was explaining all those stuff kinda caught her guard off. "Well, either he buckled up his knowledge to cover up his weak strength, or he was trying to bluff." A thought suddenly popped up in her head. "Should I take the dagger from him and test it with a master appraiser?" After a brief moment, she shook away that idea. "No, let''s not humiliate him. As long as I can get that supreme potion in my hands, our marriage will be annulled anyway. Let him do whatever he wants." She thought in her head.


    Kael and Amanda didn''t talk after that. The auction continued to go on for the next couple of hours before the hostess announced the start of the second stage of the auction.


    "Here are the ten items that will be featured now, and as I have mentioned at the start, only the guests sitting in the VIP section can bid for these items."


    One after another, the three items were displayed on the desk. One is a scroll, one is a pendant, and the last one is a potion.


    Camilla pointed her hand at the scroll and spoke. "Behold the Scroll of Fate. This is a one-time-use scroll. Once you pour your mana into the scroll, it will show you the greatest moment in the future you are fated with. Before we start the bidding, I would remind you all that fate is your fixed future. No matter what you do, it will all end up to the moment you will see it. You can''t change it. We''ll start the bidding with 100,000 gold coins."


    As the murmurs filled the ground floor for a few seconds and an absolute silence on the first floor, one paddle rose in the air, followed by the voice. "Five hundred thousand gold coins."


    Everyone''s eyes turned to VIP Box No.2. The hand belonged to the Countess of Llyne, someone who is also a royal bloodline. Whether she carried herself or it was just her looks, she appeared more royal than the princess herself.


    Countess Mirella Flamehart was the granddaughter of Amelia Flamehart, who is the maternal aunt of the current Queen. Llyne City is one of the Free Cities in the Queendom with a limited autonomy of governance. While she was only a countess, as the one with the Flamehart surname, the 29-year-old will still have a claim for the throne just as any Duchess''s heir as long as she reaches the Legendary realm (Tier-8). And she has already reached the realm, too. Now, she wants to learn whether she has any fate to become the Queen.


    But competing with her is the Duchess of Graena, Lirien Skyforge, someone who more or less had a bad relationship with Countess Mirella.


    As soon as Countess Mirella voiced out her bid, Lirien didn''t waste even ten seconds and raised the paddle. "1 million gold coins." Her voice reverberated in the hall.


    Mirella narrowed her eyes, staring at VIP Box no. 30, which lies on the opposite side of her. As her eyes locked onto the Duchess with a smirk, she raised the paddle once again. "2 million gold coins."


    "2.5 million." "3 million"


    "3.5 million" "4 million"


    "5 million." The Countess seemed to be losing her patience. Her face reddened in frustration, and she was clenching her fists, barely controlling her anger, watching the smirk on Duchess Lirien, who was trying to toy around with her.


    Due to their hefty competitive bidding, other nobles didn''t intervene. Just like in the first stage of the auction, even in the second stage, there is an unofficial rule between these distinguished guests: as long as two are engaged in a bidding war, no third person would enter it. Once it died down, if anyone is still interested, they would raise the bid from then.


    Just as they wanted, Lirien didn''t continue the bidding after purposely raising it to 5 million. She leaned to the back and took a sip of wine, lowering the paddle.


    VIP Box No.2;


    "Milady, Duchess Lirien played us." Jorien, her husband, said in anger.


    Countess Mirella took a deep breath as the auction went into silent mode, no one willing to raise the bid. "It''s fine. We have many treasures valued at more than 5 million. It wouldn''t put a dent in our treasury. But, I need that scroll at all costs."


    Half a minute into the silence, the hostess, Camilla Sunfire, spoke. "30 seconds left. If no one raises the bid in the meantime, the item will go to VIP Box No.2 for 5 million gold coins. I repeat 5 million."


    Half a minute later.


    "The time''s up. 5 million once, twice, and..." *Bam*


    "Sold." The hammer hit the plate and Camilla announced. "Congratulations, VIP Box No.2 on acquiring the Scroll of Fate."


    "Yes..." Mirella clenched her fists, her lips turning into a smile. All the remaining noblewomen at once raised their glasses of wine, gesturing their congratulations to her. She, too, raised the glass and took a sip of red wine.


    Putting the item away back into her storage ring, Camilla proceeded to point her hand gracefully at the pendant-looking artifact. "Now, for the next item, I introduce the Pendant of Argos¡ªan artifact that lets you talk to your dead loved ones as long as they haven''t gone through the cycle of reincarnation already. The limitations are: You can talk only once with them. Depending upon the spirit and the time they have been dead, its cooldown time will vary for the next usage. Last but not least, you can only talk with the dead for not more than 5 minutes.


    We''ll start the bidding with 500,000 gold coins."


    "2 million gold coins." Duchess of Aquareld, Leona was the first to raise the paddle.


    Following the plan, the Duchess of Ikaris, Adelina followed with a bid, "3 million." The others who wanted to participate were forced to spectate, following their tradition.


    "4 million." "5 million"


    "6 million" "7 million"


    "8 million" "9 million" S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    .


    .


    .


    "18 million" "20 million"


    Leona and Adelina put up a fierce bidding war, raising it to almost 20 million gold coins in a couple of minutes. It looked as if they were heavily competing against themselves to win this item at all costs. Kael, who was watching it beside the princess, couldn''t help but be amazed that these Duchesses were willing to spill for the sake of this artifact. And he suddenly felt ashamed to think that the princess would be worried about splurging 100,000 gold coins on the item he wanted.


    "No wonder the palace was ready to pay off all of my family''s debts and still running the queendom normally. Just what is the net worth of a royal family?" Kael glanced at his wife, wondering about her wealth.

 Chapter 26: The Auction (3/3)

    Chapter 26: The Auction (3/3)The bidding war continued, reaching 38 million gold coins.


    And then all of a sudden, the Duchess of Ikaris stopped bidding, accepting her defeat, and allowing others to step in.


    Kael leaned to the side and whispered to his wife. "So, you are going to step in now, I suppose?"


    "Not Yet," Amanda said, shaking her head calmly. "We have to wait."


    Almost forty seconds passed away and Camilla reminded everyone about the time limit of the bid.


    And then Amanda''s hand finally rose for the second time in the auction. "30 million." Her voice once again forced everyone, the commoners and the distinguished guests to look at her.


    "30 million for that artifact?" "Directly increasing by 10 million?" "Hey, it is the princess." "The royal family can indeed afford to spend." "These fuc*ing nobles amass huge wealth for themselves, splurging on the things they want, but wouldn''t spend a dime of money on their citizens even in the case of a famine. Imagine how many people could come out of poverty if such money is donated to society?" "That''s how the world works, sister." "Hey, you two. Do you think they spend so much money on some artifact? It was probably all a show placed by the Witch Tower, giving the item away to the palace in exchange for some kind of favor."


    As murmurs spread all over the ground floor, Duchess Leona''s lips curled up to a faint smile, and she put away the paddle aside.


    "30 million going once, twice" *Bam* "Sold"


    "Congratulations, VIP Box No.9 on acquiring the artifact¡ªPendant of Argos."


    "Now, for the final item of the auction. Behold the Elixir of Immortality."


    Camilla raised the violet-colored potion stored in the crystal bottle and introduced its properties. "The Elixir of Immortality is considered one of the greatest creations of Witch Tower. Those who drink it will not only gain an extra hundred years of life span, something unique to demigods, but they also retain their youthfulness until they reach their natural life span limit. Apart from that, it would also aid in the breakthrough for those who were stuck in the peak stage of the legendary realm. The Witch Tower guarantees one hundred percent."


    Murmurs soon filled the room once again, this time, even in the VIP Boxes, everyone getting attracted to it.


    Camilla waited for a few seconds, letting those murmurs die down a little. "However, there are potential drawbacks to drinking this potion, too. One, the females have a 95% chance of losing their fertility upon consumption. It doesn''t affect the males, though. Two, unless you reach the demigod realm after your natural life span limit ends, your strength will continue to deteriorate along with your appearance, which you can counter by drinking high-quality dragon blood regularly. Finally, those with variant elements (everything other than seven basic ones: Fire, Water, Wind, Lightning, Earth, Light, and Dark) would face a high risk of death after consumption.


    We''ll start the bidding with 2 million gold coins."


    Despite the warnings from the host, the item remained the most popular one in the auction.


    The bidding war started a few seconds after the starting bid was announced. Following a similar strategy to the first two biddings opted by others, the Duchess of Falcoris¡ªNeryssa Seastorm and the Duchess of Thornmere¡ªAelithra Ashenvyne fought with each other.


    "3 million" "5 million"


    "6 million" "8 million"


    "10 million" "12 million"


    "15 million" "18 million."


    From there, Duchess Leona took over the reins from Aelithra who quit. "20 million"


    "22 million." Neryssa didn''t back away at all. The reason was obvious for everyone to see. The woman sitting beside her, aka her mother and the former Duchess is a Tier-8 expert.


    "25 million" "28 million"


    "30 million" "32 million"


    .


    .


    .


    "60 million"


    When 60 million was announced by Leona, Neryssa could only back away. This also put away the competition from almost all the guests. After all, 60 million is not by means a small amount. Many either abandoned the idea of possessing it or made some plans to steal the item from its future owner.


    However, the Duchess of the hosting duchy didn''t think the same. She joined in the fray and the fake battle of bidding between them once again ensued.


    "65 million" "70 million"


    "75 million" "80 million"


    "85 million" "90 million"


    .


    .


    .


    "155 million" "170 million"


    By the time it reached 170 million, everyone had lost their intentions to bid anymore.


    Once again, the princess came into the war, simply following a similar pattern; this time, Leona backed out after Adelina raised it by 15 whole million gold coins.


    "200 million." Amanda raised it even more, challenging every vip out there to bid against her and showing off the might of the imperial palace. It was like she was stating that if the palace wants something, everyone else has to back off.


    Without any surprise, Leona didn''t bid from there and no one came forward either.


    "200 million once, twice, *bam* sold."


    Camilla, with a great smile, announced loud and clear. "Congratulations to VIP Box No.9 on acquiring the Elixir of Immortality."


    In the end, the Princess had secured both items, paying 230 million gold coins, an amount almost twice the debt Moonstone House made over centuries to the royal bank. It just blew off Kael''s mind, making him feel like he truly underestimated Amanda''s resolve.


    Princess Amanda was on cloud nine. She acquired the items she wanted, and soon, she would force her mother to annul this marriage with Kael, and later, becoming busy with gathering evidence against the perpetrators that conspired with her late husband''s death. Once she talks to his spirit, the truth will also unfold before her.


    Kael, on the other hand, couldn''t help but think how much this wife of his wants to annul their marriage that she spent such an exorbitant amount. He was happy for her, but at the same time, he also felt disappointed. But then he reminded himself that he married them for 127 million gold coins too. So, what''s wrong with the fact that she is spending more than 200 million gold coins to annul their marriage? Then, his thoughts suddenly shifted to the dagger in his possession. He couldn''t wait to look for an opportunity to unseal the spirit and tame it.


    Kael''s thoughts were however interrupted by an unexpected turn of events.


    As the Princess exited the auction house and was about to board the carriage, the air suddenly crackled with danger.


    Five mysterious experts, all wearing hooded black robes and demon masks, appeared without warning, their presence overwhelming, throwing the surroundings into chaos. Some people started leaving in a hurry, while some drew out their weapons.


    As the Witch flew into the sky, facing them alone, four of the five acted together, forming a mysterious seal in their palms and pushing to her.


    Surprising for every spectator, the Witch did do nothing. The seals fell upon her body one after another, and she was imprisoned with four white chains, each tied to one expert.


    The remaining one then looked down at Kael''s direction. Kael''s heart skipped a beat and spoke. "Captain Cain, we have to leave quickly. Let''s go."


    "Wha..." the Captain didn''t even have the time to respond, and the expert had already teleported behind Amanda and given a chop to her neck. As she instantly fell unconscious, he carried her over his shoulder and stomped onto the ground, releasing strong electrical currents in his surroundings.


    Kael and others blasted away in different directions. Many soldiers were wounded. Serestia was completely knocked out with heavy injuries. The only one doing well is Cain with light injuries from the earlier current shock. Kael remained unharmed but due to the dust around, none could find Kael''s condition.


    Kael got up and watched the expert, carrying away his wife. His eyes darkened, clenching his fist. "This bas*ard."


    "Nyx, come here." He immediately reached out to his tattoo. The tattoo glowed for a second and the spectral wolf was summoned to his side. He sat on top of it and ordered. "Follow them."


    The spectral wolf charged forward.


    By the time Cain got up, he had found Kael was far away, and the spectral wolf was too fast. "Dammit." He gritted his teeth. He instantly reached out to his storage ring, took out a communication scroll, and voiced the message. "Supreme Commander, this is Cain. The Princess was abducted by the Demonic Cult, and the royal consort went after the enemy with his summon. I request a demigod''s intervention." sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 27: Saving the eldest wife (1/2)

    Chapter 27: Saving the eldest wife (1/2)After going far away from the Auction House and entering the woods, Kael left the wolf''s back and started running. "Nyx, go into invisible mode and try your best to keep up." A thick dark aura covered his body, making him look like a black mass of energy.


    "Understood, master."


    "Let''s go." Kael''s boots pounded against the earth as he sprinted through the woods, his mind focused entirely on catching up to the kidnapper. His heart raced, but the adrenaline coursing through him kept him steady. He had to rescue the Princess¡ªno matter the cost.


    Behind him, the spectral wolf, invisible and ethereal, moved in tandem with him. The beast''s presence in the shadows made Kael feel more connected to the fight, though he knew it couldn''t stay invisible forever. Time was running out, and he needed to act fast.


    The Supreme realm expert also sensed Kael''s presence and he slowed down, changing his direction to a more open space filled with wildflowers and bushes.


    The mysterious expert and Kael came face to face. The former spoke through his demonic mask. "I knew that the palace would send a shadow to protect the princess. But do you think an 8-Tier like you can take her away from me?"


    Kael, continuing to stay in his Aura Armor, gave his response by summoning his curved twin daggers. "I''m not confident in protecting someone. But, I''m confident in killing anyone."


    "Such great confidence?" The mysterious expert smirked under the mask. He threw her aside like a sack of rice and stretched his arm toward her. "Save her then."


    "No." Kael charged toward her at his peak speed, aiming to pick her up before the enemy''s attack reached her.


    He almost reached her in a fraction of a second, but at that last moment, he saw a lightning beam erupt out of the enemy''s hand, aiming at his back instead.


    The lightning beam was so fast that Kael didn''t have time to pick her up and evade it. Either he dodges it and lets his wife hit by the attack or he shields her. The thought of Amanda trying to leave him occurred to his mind but his body moved faster. Kael hugged her and let his back get struck by the lightning beam.


    The attack made a hole out of his aura armor like glass and caused a heavy injury to his back. A fist-sized injury was caved into his flesh, letting the bloodstream flow out. The bone in the back was cracked and Kael couldn''t help but scream in pain. The lightning sparks started running all over his body making him paralyzed for a moment.


    Looking at his back, the enemy aimed his hand at it one more time, conjuring lightning in his palm. "There is a substantial difference between the Legendary realm and the Supreme realm, young man. As an assassin type, your defensive prowess is even more of a joke. I only used 30% of my power and you are like this. The next one will be over 60%. Let''s see how you will protect yourself and the princess."


    It was at this moment something suddenly jumped out of the shadows. Just as he was about to attack, the spectral wolf bit his arm, its teeth sinking into his flesh. The enemy couldn''t help but groan in pain.


    "Master, go." A telepathic message was sent to Kael. The latter could sense its loyalty but he could only give a nod, not even a farewell message, and used his every last bit of his mana to nullify the effects of the lightning and teleport away.


    "No..." The enemy roared in anger, throwing away the wolf. As the spectral wolf crashed onto the tree, the enemy charged at it, grabbed its neck and raised it high. "You fuc*ing dog. I will... Hmm? A young spectral wolf?" His expression behind the mask suddenly changed, and instead, a wicked laugh escaped his mouth. "Hahahaha... I encountered a treasure. This beast is far more worth than that piece of potion. Let''s tame this before the others catch up to me."


    Meanwhile, Kael carried the Princess in his arms, his heart pounding as he fled deeper into the forest. He needed a place to rest. They couldn''t stay in the open. After running continuously for half an hour, moving deeper into the forest instead of looking for an exit and going into the city, he finally saw a cave in the distance¡ªa place to hide, at least for a while.


    Once inside, he gently set the Princess down on the cold, rocky floor. Her breaths were shallow but she looked unharmed. Kael quickly assessed the situation. He needed to summon the spectral wolf again, but there was a problem.


    But, before that, he needed to recover.


    He swiftly took out a health potion and gulped it down, proceeding to meditate and using his mana to speed up the healing process. Once the injury was healed, he tried to focus on the bond between him and the wolf, but nothing happened. "I could sense that it was alive but the connection between us was cut off. Dammit." Kael cursed under his breath.


    "The wolf is imprisoned," he muttered to himself, frustration mounting. "I can''t recall it, and neither I''m strong enough to free it. I need to release the corrupted spirit of the adamantine dagger. It might help me in this situation."


    As Kael sat in the cave, trying to regain his composure, he felt the Princess stir beside him. He swiftly took out his black robes and covered himself, protecting his identity. She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze falling upon his back. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It''s you, after all..." She hesitated, looking at him as though she had just come to a realization. "You were the one who saved me."


    Kael stiffened at her words. Did she recognize him? He couldn''t help but wonder. He didn''t turn around and spoke. "We are meeting for the first time, Princess. Who do you think I am?"


    "Ah, I apologize." Amanda bowed slightly. "You are assassin K, right? I once saw you while you were leaving the imperial court. I didn''t see your face but I recognize those daggers." She said, pointing to the curved daggers that Kael put on the side while he was healing himself.


    Kael sighed in relief upon hearing her words. She didn''t recognize him, and he became confident that she had no reason to. He had kept his identity hidden thoroughly.


    Amanda, still maintaining her cool, summoned the storage ring to her index finger, which is bound to her soul unlike normal storage rings, and pulled out a bottle of elixir. "Actually, I heard your murmurings earlier, although not clearly. But, I think I have something that can help you become stronger. Consider it as a way of thank you." She placed it on the floor and pushed it to his side.


    Kael glanced at the crystal bottle on his side. "The Elixir of Immortality?" He was so shocked that he wanted to turn around and look at her, but remembering his identity, he tried to keep his coolness and said, "It cost you 200 million gold coins to acquire it. Why are you handing me such a treasure?"


    "Because I don''t want to fall it in the enemy''s hands," she said simply, her tone cool while offering further explanation. "You sacrificed your summon for me. You protected me by using your body as a shield. The least I could do this is give you the Elixir. Perhaps once you make the breakthrough, you can bring both of us out of this precarious situation."


    "Wha..."

 Chapter 28: Saving the Eldest wife (2/2)

    Chapter 28: Saving the Eldest wife (2/2)Kael''s mind raced. She claimed that she recognized him as Assassin K from his daggers, but there was something more to her words, a subtle understanding that left him questioning her true intentions.


    First, she knew that his summon was sacrificed. Did she see it or did she merely conclude it from his earlier mutter?


    Secondly, she knew that he injured himself while shielding her. Did she see it back then or did she just see his back injury after he brought her to the cave, a couple of minutes ago?


    Lastly, she mentioned that she heard his murmurings, although not clearly. But, how much had she heard? He spoke about the dagger and the corrupted spirit. If she heard it, it would be easy for her to link him to her husband.


    More importantly, she is willing to give him away such a precious elixir, which she plans to use to annul their marriage.


    However, if she really knew that it was him, her reaction could be more explosive and not this calm. Kael concluded it this way in the end and grabbed the bottle.


    "Princess," Kael muttered, raising it high.


    Just as he was about to open it, he questioned her for one last time. "Are you sure about it? This bottle should be very precious to you. The Queen might even punish you for giving it to me. Think about it once again."


    In response, Amanda nodded firmly. "I''m sure. This is the choice I make."


    "Very well, Princess. I thank you," Kael said, raising it high and gulping all the potion in the bottle in one go.


    Several minutes passed away.


    The air in the cave was thick with anticipation as Kael sat in a deep meditative state, his mind focused entirely on his breakthrough. The pressure of the situation, coupled with the urgency to become stronger, had pushed him to the brink. His body trembled slightly as energy surged within him, but his resolve never faltered. His eyes remained shut, his concentration unwavering.


    Amanda watched from a distance, her gaze lingering on his back. The soft glow from the light of the fire illuminated her face, revealing a mixture of emotions that she couldn''t quite understand. Her heart races faster than it should. "Kael..." She whispered under her breath.


    Amanda''s heartbeat quickened as she watched Kael''s form, still deep in meditation. Her mind raced with memories¡ªthe ship, the castle, and now this forest. Each time, Kael had shown a side of him that was unexpected. He was not just the man she had reluctantly accepted as her husband; he was someone much more complex.


    She instinctively placed a hand on her chest, trying to steady herself. Her emotions were in turmoil, conflicting thoughts swirling in her head. She reached for the storage ring, summoning the Pendant in her hand. But as her fingers brushed against it, she hesitated.


    "No," she muttered to herself, shaking her head slightly. "I need to sort this out first."


    She tucked the object back into her storage ring, her thoughts becoming a tangled mess of doubt and longing. Would she ever come to terms with her feelings? Was this truly the path she wanted to walk, or was it just the consequences of circumstance? Various thoughts started messing with her mind.


    Time passed away.


    Far away in the woods, Nyx was held in chains. The creature''s body twisted against its restraints, a primal energy radiating from it. The Supreme Realm expert stood nearby, focusing intently as he traced a seal around the creature. His lips moved silently as he began drawing the ancient symbols, preparing to break the bond between Kael and the beast, to claim it for himself.


    The expert was confident in his success¡ªuntil the unexpected happened. The seal that he had been carefully crafting shattered in an instant.


    He looked up, startled, only to see a hooded figure emerging from the shadows. This time, he didn''t even sense his presence. "It''s you..."


    Kael, still shrouded in Aura Armor, spoke. "Keep your filthy hands away from my companion." The twin daggers in his hands glowed, and black flames started enveloping the blades.


    The fight that ensued was swift and brutal.


    Kael moved with deadly precision. The Supreme Realm expert wasn''t given a chance to counterattack from the start. With no worry to protect someone, Kael''s moves were completely unrestrained.


    Within moments, Kael had him cornered, and with a single swift strike to his neck followed by a firm stab to his heart, he ended the fight.


    As the body of the expert crumpled to the ground, Kael looted the remains, taking anything of value. His cold, calculating demeanor never wavered. It was then he found something strange in his storage ring. It was a medallion with the engraving of an anchor and a ship on one side and the image of a lich on the other side.


    "The Duchess of Aquareld..." Kael whispered under his breath, his gaze darkening. The insignia of the anchor and the ship belonged to Aquareld House. As for the lich, it is said that Aquareld House''s founder was a Necromancer King, who eventually became a lich and achieved immortality. Basically, this is the relic of its founder. How could such treasures end up in the hands of this expert? Unless it was given to him.


    By who?


    The answer is obvious.


    Kael felt like everything fell into place.


    "Indeed, Duchess Leona had been the mastermind behind all of this¡ªthe one pulling the strings from the shadows. First, she goes to the imperial city to meet up with Amanda. She uses Amanda''s past to draw her to the auction. The imperial palace is the richest and obviously rich enough to buy any treasure. Then, she abducts her using the Demonic Cult and acquires the treasure. No, these didn''t even belong to the demonic cult in the first place." He took another look at the corpse and removed the mask, revealing an old man with a clean face.


    "The Demonic Cult members have tattoos inscribed on their foreheads that will ensure their loyalty to their High Priestess. Moreover, there isn''t a shred of demonic energy inside him. These belonged to the Witch Tower itself. It is known that they have six Tier-9 experts. That means... those four might be the guardians of the tower. That is also why the Witch never attacked them and let herself be captured. It only means that the Duchess of Ikaris was also involved. But to what extent? That is the question.


    Was she also involved in the assassination attempt? Hmm... that doesn''t make sense. After all, it was before the auction even took place. It''s not like Amanda is the heiress to the throne. She might be a Prime Minister of the Queendom, but she was largely kept away from those dirty dealings of the Queen. Then, why? It doesn''t make any sense. Perhaps the assassination attempt was done by some third party? Or perhaps they never intend to assassinate her but just to inflict some harm?" Kael thought about everything but couldn''t find their motivation.


    Of course, Kael didn''t exactly expose them to Amanda, keeping his speculations to himself as his entire theory was based on one medallion. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After Nyx was recovered, it was ordered to exit the forest in its invisibility state, while Kael returned to Amanda''s side, safely escorting her back to the city without attracting any attention. He moved like a shadow, keeping his distance but making sure she never felt alone.


    Amanda continued her journey through the forest, her thoughts still clouded with uncertainty. Eventually, she had made it through, safe and sound. No enemy was encountered on the way.


    However, surprising her, when she exited the forest and was moving to the city, she encountered a familiar figure. It was Kael who was sitting on the spectral wolf.


    "Eh?" Amanda was quite taken aback to see him. She couldn''t help but glance behind her, watching the silhouette of Assassin K who she believed to be her husband all along slowly fade away.


    She turned to see Kael, standing at the edge of the forest, his expression soft but tinged with concern. "Are you alright, Princess?"


    "Uhh... Kael?" She became confused. "Just now..."


    "Hmm?" Kael walked up to her, his usual concerned expression plastered on his face. "Princess," he said softly, his voice laced with faux worry. "Are you alright?"


    Amanda suddenly glanced down, her eyes catching the mud-plastered onto his shoes. She shut her eyes once, remembering the memory where the assassin was carrying her, running through the swamp on the way.


    "I''m fine." Amanda gave him a small, forced smile, trying to play along. She didn''t need him to act concerned; she could handle herself.


    But as she looked at him, something inside her shifted. She couldn''t help but feel... something more.


    She had been cold to him, distant, but now, as she met his gaze, she realized how much his actions had meant to her. He had followed her, protected her, without question. He had shown a side of him she hadn''t expected, one that made her heart ache with confusion.


    Before she could say anything, Kael feigned a concerned look, his hand resting on her shoulder. "Are you alright?"


    Amanda blinked, caught off guard by his sudden act. She hadn''t expected to feel what she felt, but in that moment, she smiled¡ªgenuinely.


    "Thank you, Kael," she said, her voice softer than she had ever spoken to him. Without thinking, she leaned into him, giving him a hug.


    "Wha..." Kael stood still for a moment, stunned by the gesture. He hadn''t expected this reaction. He had never expected her to acknowledge him so warmly, especially not after everything that had happened.


    Amanda held him for a brief moment, her emotions swirling, before pulling away, her eyes meeting his.


    "Thank you," she repeated, this time with more sincerity. "For worrying about me."


    Kael, still surprised, nodded slowly. "Of course."


    **************

 Chapter 29: Amanda’s resolve (1/2)

    Chapter 29: Amanda''s resolve (1/2)The remaining day was filled with apologies from Adelina for not taking care of her security, although followed by the questions of who might have saved her. Leona and many duchesses and countesses who were staying as guests at the castle also visited Amanda, wishing for her recovery. Some Duchesses were quite curious about her escape as the Witch wasn''t the one who saved her. And to everyone''s surprise, Amanda revealed that the kidnapper took away the Elixir of Immortality from her in order to cover up for Kael.


    Most didn''t think much as they could guess that much from the kidnapping, some assumed that the princess might have staged her own kidnap to hide away the Elixir from the palace. Adelina and Leona were quite taken aback and curious about the mysterious expert who killed her kidnapper but then took away the Elixir from her hands too.


    Amanda didn''t push them much and let the matter go. She had a lot of other things in her head that needed to be addressed first.


    Two days later, a Demigod from the palace arrived. The Imperial Perceptor took the investigation into his own hands, first questioning Amanda about the whole story. She had to tell everything from when she was abducted to how she was saved by Assassin K and how she gave away the Elixir to him. She told everything to him except for the fact that she found out Kael''s secret.


    The demigod then went into the forest only to find the corpse missing. She could only investigate the traces of the battle, how it happened, and the extent of this assassin''s prowess. Later, she visited the Witch Tower for providing inadequate security, claiming a hefty compensation amount from the Witch, and eventually returning to the castle.


    The following morning, Kael and Amanda resumed their dance practice. But this time, something was different. Amanda''s movements were more fluid, her teaching gentler, and her demeanor softer. Kael noticed it immediately¡ªeyes carried a subtle warmth of affection toward him.


    As they practiced their steps, Amanda''s hand lightly brushed against his, and her gaze lingered a little longer than usual. It was a small shift, but to Kael, it was a significant one. But, for now, he focused on his steps, matching her rhythm and following her lead.


    The day of the ball arrived, and both Kael and Amanda made their way to the grand hall, dressed in their finest attire. The atmosphere was electric, filled with nobles from every corner of the kingdom, eager to witness the lavish event. It appeared as if they had forgotten the incident at the Auction House. But then again, they weren''t the ones who were attacked. So, there wasn''t much impact on their minds in the first place.


    As they entered the ballroom together, the two of them became the center of attention. Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd. The Nobleman and the imperial princess, the newlywed couple, danced elegantly as if they were the only two in the room.


    Kael had never expected such an event to feel so intimate. As the music played and they twirled across the floor, he couldn''t help but feel that Amanda was no longer the distant, unreachable woman she had once been. Instead, she seemed to be more present, more connected to him like a close friend.


    Their eyes met constantly throughout the dance, and Kael noticed that the pity and reluctance that had once clouded her gaze had faded away, leaving only affection. It kinda made him a bit uncomfortable but he couldn''t do anything about it after taking away the Elixir from her and destroying her hopes of annulling their marriage. Perhaps, she was trying to make amends and deciding to act like a wife instead? He couldn''t help but wonder.


    For the first time, the ball felt less like a political duty and more like a shared moment between husband and wife. The crowd, too, took note of the chemistry between the couple, their gazes lingering on them as if they were the stars of the evening.


    After the dance ended, they returned to their chamber, the warmth of the evening still lingering in the air. Amanda didn''t say much other than wishing him good night as she excused herself, retreating to her own room. But as the door closed behind her, Kael was left standing in confusion, wondering about the change in her behavior ever since she returned from the forest.


    Once in her room, Amanda took a deep breath, still feeling the warmth of Kael''s presence from the dance. She sat down on her bed, her thoughts racing. She had promised herself that she would never love again after the death of her first husband.


    But Kael... he disturbed her a lot. Earlier, it was recklessness and she had every reason to hate him. But, after learning the truth, she was confused about him or her own feelings.


    With trembling hands, Amanda reached for the small object she had kept hidden for now.


    As she wore the pendant and poured her mana into it, the familiar, comforting energy enveloped her. She closed her eyes and whispered, "Please... I need to speak to him. Klaus..."


    The room grew colder, and a faint glow filled the air. The spirit of Amanda''s former husband appeared before her, a soft, ethereal presence. His face was kind, his eyes filled with understanding.


    "Amanda," his voice echoed softly, "I''m glad to see you again."


    Tears welled up in Amanda''s eyes as she looked at him, the man she had loved with all her heart. But even now, after all the years, she couldn''t stop the conflict within her. "Klaus, my love..."


    "Amanda..." He called her out in a hushed tone.


    "I don''t know what to do," she confessed. "I''ve... I''ve started to feel something for him. Kael. My husband. I don''t want to love him the way I loved you. But... but..."


    Her former husband smiled gently, his spirit radiating warmth. "You have always been a strong woman, Amanda. You''ve suffered greatly, but I see that Kael is a man worthy of your love. I have watched over you both through you and believe me, a man can understand another man. That man hides his feelings and probably has a ton of secrets, but he seems sincere and a great supporter."


    "But¡ª"


    "Don''t destroy the future for the sake of the past, Amanda," he interrupted, his voice firm but loving. "You are not betraying me by moving on. You are allowing yourself the chance to live again."


    Amanda''s heart felt heavy as she processed his words, but something inside her began to soften. She had never truly let go of the past, and yet, she realized that perhaps, in order to heal, she needed to embrace the future.


    The spirit of her husband nodded, as though sensing her thoughts. "Before I go, I want you to know the truth behind my death, which you have wanted to find out desperately all these years. It was not an accident, nor was it simply a matter of politics. When we defeated the Kingdom of Orlon, the people over there weren''t ready to accept a Queen, and many gangs continued to rebel, causing us trouble. They want a man to lead them. Many experts living in Orlon met me. They want me to take over the throne instead. My men also supported it.


    While I rejected it out of my loyalty to the throne, the news reached the palace. The late Prime Minister, fearing that I would become king and rebel against the throne with my hundred thousand soldiers, ordered my assassination. He was afraid that I would bring change, something they couldn''t control. That''s the truth about my death, Amanda. As I can see through your memories, the late Prime Minister was assassinated by your current husband, Kael Moonstone. Imagine my shock when I learned that Kael was the dreaded assassin K? That means he started hunting down these corrupted nobles when he was only 14. And all along, I thought he was just a scourge of Moonstone House. Anyway, my time is coming up. So, let''s not waste the time in discussing about him.


    After this, I will move on to the spirit realm. So, please find your peace, Amanda, so that I may find mine without worries."


    Amanda''s eyes widened with shock. She had never known the full story behind her husband''s death, and hearing it now, she doesn''t know how to feel. The perpetrator was already killed, and her former husband was avenged. The only question that remained in her head was whether her mother, the Queen, was behind this or whether her predecessor acted on his own.


    Sensing her thoughts once again, Klaus said softly. "The dead are at peace. Don''t make your life hell by agonizing over them. Move on and enjoy the remainder of your life for the sake of your dead loved ones who couldn''t enjoy it."


    "Goodbye, my love." sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the spirit of her husband faded away, Amanda sat in silence, processing everything. His words had lifted a burden she hadn''t realized she''d been carrying. She had been so focused on the past, on the pain of losing him, that she hadn''t given herself permission to heal.


    But Kael was here now, and he had proven himself to be a man of honor. Maybe... maybe she could allow herself to love again. Maybe she could let go of the guilt and the pain that had held her back for so long.


    As she wiped away a tear, Amanda made a decision. It was time to move forward. "Goodbye." She whispered under her breath, allowing the weight of departure to settle within her heart.


    With a sigh, she rose from where she sat, gathering her composure. The ache in her chest remained, but it was no longer a crippling weight. She dressed herself in fresh clothes, carefully selecting an elegant yet simple gown, her mind swirling with the events of the evening and the revelation of her true feelings.


    Her thoughts, though still conflicted, guided her steps as she made her way to Kael''s room. She wasn''t sure what she would say, but she knew that the time had come for them to confront the truth of their marriage.


    Kael was deep in meditation when he felt a presence at his door. He didn''t open his eyes, assuming it was one of the servants or perhaps Cain. But when the door creaked open and Amanda stepped inside, he was taken aback and opened his eyes.


    "What is it, Princess?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with curiosity.


    Amanda stepped inside, closing the door quietly behind her. There was a tense silence before she finally spoke, her voice steady but with faint confidence.


    "I want to consummate our marriage," she said as she let her robes loose, her words taking Kael completely by surprise.

 Chapter 30: Amanda’s resolve (2/2)

    Chapter 30: Amanda''s resolve (2/2)His eyes snapped open, his breath catching for a moment. "What?" he asked, his tone a mix of confusion and concern. "You don''t have to force yourself, Amanda. I... I don''t want you to do something you''re uncomfortable with and resign to your fate just because you lost the Elixir. You can still find a way to convince Her Majesty."


    Amanda was taken aback by his response. She had expected him to reject her or question her motives, but his words caught her off guard. "Do you know?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise.


    Kael sat up from his meditative position and looked at her, his gaze keeping steady. "I do," he said, not wasting time on formalities. "The potion makes one breakthrough to the Supreme realm, and you''re not remotely close enough to use it for yourself. It was obvious that it was for your mother. However, even for her sake, you wouldn''t pour 200 million gold coins. If you are only a princess, you might do it, but you are a responsible Prime Minister of the state. That such kind of money would cause trouble for some of the ongoing projects or the military budget. You wouldn''t take the risk.


    If you take the risk, then there must be something in it for you, too. You''re the prime minister, the third most powerful person in the Queendom regarding authority. Anything you want, it can achieved by your will. But there are only two things that the Queen can give to you. One, the title of a Duchess and your own Duchy. But, as the Prime Minister, you more or less have greater power than the Duchesses. So, it could be unlikely. That leaves with a second reason, the annulment of our marriage."


    He paused, searching her eyes for a reaction. "The Queendom gives the man the privilege to annul his marriage at any time as long as he doesn''t consummate. However, for women, the mandatory waiting time is two years, and when it is achieved, the Queen has the right to annul it. But in your case, your husband doesn''t have such power, too." He gave her an ashamed smile. "I more or less sold myself to the Queen, agreeing to clear my family''s debts and save me from becoming a slave. I''m in no position to make demands. Only the Queen can annul this marriage. And besides, I know how deeply you were hurt by the loss of your former husband. So, I put the pieces together and concluded that this is why you''re doing this."


    Amanda stood still, absorbing his words. She had never expected Kael to be so insightful, to understand her intentions so clearly. The truth in his words was undeniable, but hearing him say it out loud made her feel vulnerable as if she had been exposed in a way she hadn''t fully anticipated.


    At the same time, she felt confused. Her husband isn''t as powerless as he shows to the world. He is the legendary assassin K, a Tier-8 expert. Who would dare to make him a slave? As long as he shows off his strength, even the royal bank would have taken the back step. There was no need for this marriage in the first place. If he is willing to leave her if she wants to leave, then why did he agree to this marriage? Is hiding his true strength more important? Questions filled her mind once again.


    "Do you still want to go through with it?" Kael broke the silence in the end, asking softly. "If it''s about missing your chance of annulment, there will be another chance. Soon, Her Majesty would retire, and the throne battles will begin. As long as Shiera wins, she can annul our marriage if you want. You don''t have to..."


    Amanda cut him off before he could finish. "Tell me, Kael," she said, her voice firm yet fragile. "Earlier, you mentioned that you consider yourself a slave and didn''t have the power. What if you were given the choice... what would you do? Would you annul this marriage?"


    "This..." Kael stared at her for a long time, the silence thick between them. He could feel the weight of the question, the raw vulnerability in her voice. For a moment, he considered lying, telling her what he thought she wanted to hear. He could say that he would leave her if she wanted the annulment, that he would step away and let her go free.


    But as he met her gaze, he inwardly sighed, cursing himself.


    "No," he said, his voice steady but honest. "I wouldn''t leave you."


    Amanda blinked, taken aback by his answer.


    "Why?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.


    Kael exhaled slowly, his lips widening into a smile. "I told you before this, too. It''s because I''m your husband. I would support your decision at all times, whether it is leaving me or staying with me. And that sorts of principles I grew up with, Princess."


    Amanda''s eyes widened, and for a moment, she seemed to lose her composure. Her breath hitched as emotions overwhelmed her, but she quickly masked it with a stoic expression.


    "You don''t have to say that," she whispered. "I don''t need your pity or your sacrifice."


    Kael shook his head gently. "It''s not pity, Princess. It''s as true as the sun rises in the east."


    The room fell into silence again, but this time, it was a more comfortable one. Amanda stood there, her heart racing, unsure of what to say next.


    "I..." She hesitated, struggling to put her thoughts into words. "I thought I was doing the right thing, trying to move on, trying to do what was best for both of us. But now I''m not so sure anymore."


    Kael stood up, his posture relaxed but firm. He stepped closer to her, his eyes softening. "You don''t have to have all the answers right now. You don''t have to make a decision today. Just know that I''m here for you. If you want to consummate the marriage, I would be glad. But if you''re unsure, I won''t push you either."


    Amanda stood there in silence for what felt like an eternity, her mind racing to process what he had said. Finally, after a long pause, she let out a deep sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly.


    "I understand," she whispered, her voice turning softer than before. She looked up at Kael, taking a confident step toward him, her eyes locking onto his. "After speaking with my late husband''s spirit, I thought I was ready to move on with my life... but now, I feel like the last speck of cloudiness in my mind has been cleared."


    Kael barely had time to react before Amanda took another step toward him, closing the distance between them in an instant. Her movements were swift, almost desperate, as she grabbed onto him and pulled him into an embrace. Before he could respond, she pushed him gently onto the bed, her body pressed against his.


    "I''ve made up my mind," she said, her voice low and almost playful. "I want to consummate our marriage."


    Kael''s breath caught in his throat, his mind a blur of confusion and desire. "Wait, Amanda," he stammered. "We don''t have to rush this. We can wait until we return to the capital city. There''s no need to be in any hurry..."


    But Amanda simply smiled, her lips turning into a teasing grin. She leaned in closer, her hand caressing his body as she whispered, "Your body seems to think otherwise, Kael."


    Without another word, she kissed him deeply, her lips pressing against his before her tongue forced its way into his mouth. Kael''s thoughts scattered in an instant, his body reacting to the warmth of her touch and the intensity of her kiss. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 31: Intercourse with Amanda (warning: explicit content. You can skip the chapter)

    She broke from her long and deep kiss, her eyes staring at his. "Caress me, Kael. Please make love to me." She whispered, her enchanting voice turning him on.


    He hugged her and rolled her over, putting himself on top of her. Caressing her face, he called her name in a hushed tone. "Amanda¡­" He closed into her face, planting a kiss on her lips.


    He then traced her lips with his right thumb, and she parted her lips, drawing his thumb into her mouth. Her tongue flickered over his finger, raising his temperature even more. Meanwhile, his left hand explored her body, gently pushing the robes away and removing her undergarments one after another, throwing them away to the side. Her naked, curvy, busty body was a feast to his eyes.


    Yes, he might have had consummation with his third wife a couple of times and Laura a lot of times, but they didn¡¯t have a body like Amanda¡¯s. His gaze fell locked on her full curves, their provocative sway drawing his attention with each subtle movement.


    Fondling her bosom, Kael began kissing her neck. His kisses grew bolder as he found her sensitive spot, right below her ears. "Mmm~" She couldn¡¯t help but let out a moan.


    "Aaah~"


    Her moan got even louder as his teeth grazed her earlobe.


    Kael¡¯s hand left her mouth and slowly traced down to her bosom¡¯s soft peaks that were hiding inside. He pinched them lightly before lowering his head, taking one of them between his lips, tasting it gently at first then sucking it while the other hand continued to fondle the other bosom.


    "Mmm~" "Oh, Lord¡­!"


    Amanda¡¯s back arched as pleasure shot through her. She let out a low moan, her hands moving to grip the bed sheets tightly. Kael switched his attention to her other soft peak, teasing it with his tongue again before taking it into his mouth.


    "Mmm~" "Aaah~"


    Her whole body seemed to be shivering in pleasure, and her hair reached his hair, her fingers passing through his strands as she whispered. "That¡¯s it, Kael. Caress me more. Give me more pleasure. It¡¯s been a long time since I experienced this feeling."


    Kael¡¯s eyes flashed with a hint of mischief at her words, giving a gentle bite to her soft peak as his hand lowered, tracing the curves of her body until his fingertips brushed against the fabric covering her sanctum. Her hips trembled at the light touch of his finger and he could feel warmth where he touched.


    Removing the last piece of fabric from her body, Kael continued to play with her bosoms, shifting one to another in regular intervals while his finger started swirling around her wet sanctum, feeling its soft, sensitive flesh.


    "Mmm~" "Kael~!" "Aaah~"


    Her moans only grew louder, and her hand grabbed the hairs on his head using a bit of force, pushing it lower, "Stop teasing me. Go down there."


    Without another word, Kael went down and explored her sanctum with soft and tender kisses, tasting it with a lick.


    "Aaah~"


    Her legs parted wider, giving him more access to it, and Kael pressed his mouth, his tongue penetrating her sanctum.


    Amanda¡¯s moan was a cry of pleasure, her hips rising to meet his mouth as his tongue explored further. Kael felt her sanctum growing only wetter, and it only got warmer. The muscles in her thigh started quivering beneath his hands. Her hands tightly grabbed his hair as she moaned louder, her breaths coming in irregular gasps.


    "Aaah~"


    Suddenly, she stiffened her body, arching off the bed, letting out her loudest moan so far. Kael felt the warmth of her orgasm around his mouth, her nectar flooding his mouth. "Oh, Kael!"


    She collapsed back to the bed and relaxed, taking deep breaths as she closed her eyes.


    Kael swallowed whatever nectar entered his mouth, it was greasy, thick, and oily, like molten fire running down his throat, leaving a bitter warmth that lingered. It was the essence of a fire dragon, indicating her bloodline. But at the same time, the flame essence nourished his mana, slightly increasing his reserves. It was a familiar feeling he had when he had intercourse with Laura, too.


    As someone who regularly had intercourse with Laura, Kael could perfectly guess what would happen next.


    It is a known matter that highborn women usually had higher lust than others. And when they orgasm, their lust would be increased tremendously. Kael had a first-hand experience with Laura and Melissa, and just as he expected, Amanda wasn¡¯t done yet. "Now, come up, Kael. Undress."


    Kael then stood and proceeded to disrobe himself. With a swift motion, he stood there naked, revealing his muscular frame under that innocent, pretty face, and the thick length of his fully hardened manhood. Amanda sat up and gave a look at him, her eyes wandering his body from top to bottom, her lustful gaze lingering a bit more on his manhood. Her lips turned into a smile, and she said. "I don¡¯t want to compare, but that is a couple of inches bigger than a man¡¯s average size mentioned in the records. And that physique¡­ Are you really in an underprivileged realm?" She teased with a hint of playfulness, her finger tracing her lips.


    Kael walked to the longer side of the bed and spoke. "One¡¯s soul realm depends on their mana reserves, Amanda. It has nothing to do with their physique."


    Amanda scoffed inwardly at his reply. "Yeah, right. Keep pretending to be weak, Kael. That will only work to my advantage." She thought in her head, licking her lips a little bit as she reached forward and grabbed his manhood. "Well, then¡­ you should put that physique into good work. Your wife is quite hungry right now."


    *Ssss*


    Kael couldn¡¯t help but let out a hiss as she started stroking his manhood before taking it into her mouth, her tongue swirling around the long pole¡¯s head that was hiding under the foreskin. "What in the hell is this¡­ Laura never did this to me¡­ Oh, Goddess¡­" Kael bit his lips to stay quiet but couldn¡¯t stop screaming inside his head in pleasure.


    He couldn¡¯t even last ten seconds and released his fluid into her mouth.


    Just like he did earlier, she swallowed his fluid at once and licked her lips. "Okay. That was different from what I imagined. It was quite salty and greasy, but there was the essence of some magical beast. It is indeed rare for a man to inherit bloodlines of their ancestors," She paused a bit and raised her head, looking at Kael¡¯s face. "By the way, isn¡¯t this too fast? I heard that you and Laura spend hours during intercourse?"


    "Sorry, it was the first time someone did that to me and it was too much of a pleasure," Kael replied, his face reddened in embarrassment.


    "Well, you were the first one I tried this too. I didn¡¯t know this could have this much effect. Those erotic novels failed to mention it," She shrugged, but her hand that was still on his manhood felt the stiffness, and her facial expression changed. "Let¡¯s see¡­" She tightened her grip and started stroking it again, much to Kael¡¯s hiss of slight pain mixed with pleasure. As it hardened again to its full capacity while throbbing, she smiled. "It looks fine to go again. Try to hold it better next time, then."


    "Uhhh¡­" Kael didn¡¯t even get to reply and hissed out as her tongue started playing with his manhood.


    This time, he tried his best to contain his pleasure, and after a couple of minutes, she freed his manhood and grabbed it as she moved back, letting him lay on his back.


    As a submissive species of mankind or atleast someone who always pretends to be one, Kael was always the one serving his significant other. Even the obsessive wife of his, Laura, never pleasured him in the usual sense. It was always him pleasuring her during the foreplay despite their hour-long session each time. The most she was submissive was when she let him take her from behind.


    Of course, it is not that he didn¡¯t enjoy his sessions with Laura or felt inferior or something, but it was an entirely different kind of pleasure he felt as he lay down there and Amanda started kissing his lips, then his chest, his abs, and eventually down to his manhood in a similar way he did to her earlier.


    Taking a seat on his abdomen with her legs on either side, she pulled his body to her bosom and kissed his lips deeply, her tongue entwined with his as she hugged him. Sweat dripped from their bodies, smearing onto each other as they lost in the pleasure.


    His manhood twitched hard again and again to the point that he was forced to free his mouth and request her. "Can I¡­"


    She looked at him and smirked, her mouth leaning toward his ears. "Take me in." She whispered. Her seductive voice had a passive effect on his body, his blood rush increasing all of a sudden, and he spun around, laying her on the bed.


    "Oh, my¡­"


    She arched her hips upward, inviting him inside. Kael pushed his manhood slowly into her sanctum, feeling the heat of her desire against the sensitive skin.


    "Aaah~"


    Amanda¡¯s eyes squeezed shut as she let out a moan, her teeth biting the bottom of her lip as she felt his manhood going deeper. The pain was sharp, but it was also ecstatic.


    "Aahh~ Oh Lord¡­ it¡¯s¡­ so¡­" She whimpered, her voice thick with lust as his manhood dug deeper.


    As Amanda¡¯s eyes fluttered open to meet her husband¡¯s gaze, Kael began to move, his hips retracting a slow rhythm before pushing forward making her moan with every thrust.


    The room was filled with her moans, which got louder as he dug deeper and deeper into her sanctum with every thrust. The sound of their collision was synchronized with her moans.


    Her hands were over his back, her nails trying to dig deep into his skin but couldn¡¯t leave any scratch, feeling it as if she was hugging a bar of steel.


    "Aah~" "Aah~" "Aah~" "Yaaa~" "Oh, Lord¡­" "Aa~, yes!"


    Kael increased his pace, his movements growing faster as his mind was already lost to the lust. Amanda¡¯s cries grew more desperate, her body trembling with the force of her pleasure.


    It went on straight for a whole hour, occasionally changing positions before Kael let out a final groan, taking it out from her sanctum and spilling his fluids on her stomach.


    With a heavy gasp, he rolled over and lay beside her. "It was incredible." He said, his chest reddened and his entire body filling with sweat and her perfume.


    "Yeah, it was¡­" Amanda nodded with a satisfactory smile, taking heavy breaths for a while. Then, she took a glance at her stomach and took a swipe at the fluid with her finger, licking it. She did it again and again, consuming his spilled fluids like a delicacy, "What magical beast bloodline you have inherited, Kael? Just its essence is suppressing my fire dragon bloodline, which is, by the way, one of the top 3 strongest bloodlines in the world." S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Umm¡­ I¡¯m not sure." Kael averted his gaze, refusing to answer her question. "I don¡¯t have the talent for magic. So, I never tried to probe it."


    As she swiftly turned her head and cast a suspicious gaze at him, Kael shut his eyes. "Anyway, let¡¯s sleep. We have to leave in the morning."


    All of a sudden, Amanda¡¯s hand grabbed his manhood, forcing him to open his eyes widely. "What do you mean, Kael? We are just getting started." As her lips curled into a smile, she said. "The night is long, my dear. And this is our first consummation. We should make it a night to remember." She reached out to the storage ring she placed on the bedside table a while ago. She took out a couple of scarlet potions, gave one to him, and gulped the other. Her stamina was restored in a matter of seconds, and she started stroking his manhood, keeping it between his leg and the thigh. "See¡­ yours is still good to continue."


    "Wait a second¡­ What about rest?"


    "You can sleep in the ship~"


    Kael¡¯s face paled a bit as he saw her face, her pupils turning into vertical slits. "We will continue until all those nights of memories I had with my former husband would be replaced with this night." Planting a deep kiss, she let out a giggle of mischief, "Didn¡¯t you promise me that you would support me at all times? Try your best, then. Don¡¯t worry. We have a lot of stamina potions and aphrodisiacs for your assistance."


    "F**k. I forgot that she inherited the dragon bloodline. Oh Goddess¡­ what did I get stuck myself into¡­"

 Chapter 32: Returning to Imperial City

    The soft glow of morning filtered through the curtains, casting golden streaks across the silken sheets.


    Kael stirred, the lingering warmth of slumber still clinging to him, when a familiar weight pressed against his chest. His eyes fluttered open to see Amanda lying on top of him, her piercing gaze locked onto his as she sat up with her legs on either side of his abdomen.


    A cheerful, active smile tugged at her lips. "Good morning, husband." She pressed his chest.


    Kael groaned, running a hand down his face. "Morning? It doesn¡¯t feel like I even got to sleep."


    Amanda chuckled, her fingers grazing his jaw as she leaned in. "I told you," she murmured, her breath warm against his lips. "I¡¯ve been holding back for far too long. And now¡­" Her voice dipped, her hands tracing down his chest. "Now, I don¡¯t want to hold back anymore."


    Kael swallowed, his muscles tensing beneath her as she shifted. "Amanda¡ª"


    She silenced him with a kiss, slow and lingering, filled with an unspoken hunger that reignited the fire from the night before.


    Meanwhile, Cain stood in the hallway, arms crossed, glancing toward the closed door of Kael¡¯s chamber. His sharp ears, trained from years of combat, picked up nothing¡ªnot a single sound. His brow furrowed.


    "Strange," he muttered.


    The spectral beast sitting guard outside the door flicked its tail, letting out a lazy yawn. "Noise-cancellation spell," it said with a hint of amusement.


    Cain exhaled, a knowing smirk creeping onto his face. "So, she hasn¡¯t left his room since last night, huh?"


    The beast merely tilted its head in response.


    Cain chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, all is well if it ends well."


    Just then, the door creaked open. Kael stepped out, his shirt haphazardly thrown over his shoulders, his expression carrying a deep air of exhaustion. Amanda remained inside, likely freshening up.


    Cain¡¯s grin widened. "So¡­ breakfast?" He clapped Kael on the shoulder. "You must be starving. Or should I say, drained?"


    Kael groaned, rubbing his temples. "I¡¯m fine, Cain."


    "Oh, I don¡¯t doubt that." Cain laughed, enjoying his rare chance to tease Kael. "But I¡¯ll go ahead and order something extra rich in energy. You know, just in case."


    Ignoring him, Kael straightened his sleeves and swiftly changed the subject. "We¡¯re leaving for the capital soon. Make the necessary preparations."


    Cain smirked but nodded. "Aye, Captain."


    The sea stretched endlessly before them as the ship cut through the waves. The salty breeze carried the scent of adventure, but Kael found his focus elsewhere¡ªon the woman beside him. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Amanda barely left his side, her arm entwined with his as they stood at the ship¡¯s railing. She was no longer distant, no longer hesitant in her affections. In the presence of the crew, nobles, and commoners alike, she openly clung to him, her fingers occasionally tracing circles on his palm, her lips pressing against his lips or his neck when no one was looking.


    At first, Kael was taken aback. The Amanda he met weeks ago would never display such open affection. But now?


    Now, she seemed¡­ free. He felt as if he had awaken the beast in her.


    She laughed more. She indulged in the fresh seafood dishes with an appetite he hadn¡¯t seen before. She leaned into him when the sea breeze turned cold, whispering stories from her youth, memories she had never shared before.


    And at night¡­


    Kael chuckled to himself as he adjusted his collar. At night, Amanda was even more relentless.


    He could guess why she was acting this way. In his view, she was probably trying to make up for lost time.


    Her late husband had spent more time on battlefields than in her arms, and before she knew it, he was gone. She had lived with regrets, with wishes unfulfilled. And now, she was probably determined not to let history repeat itself. Not to mention the fact that soon, they would go on their ways. She would return to the palace to resume her duties as the Prime Minister of the Queendom, and he would return to Moonstone Manor. So, after this trip, they would likely meet once a week.


    And so, he didn¡¯t question it. He didn¡¯t hesitate. He simply let her have these moments, and in turn, he cherished them just as deeply.


    The reason was simple. She acknowledged him as her husband.


    And he¡­ he was beginning to realize that he developed feelings for her, too.


    **


    A few days passed away in the blink of an eye.


    It was just as every other day as the past few days when their ship was sailing in the endless stretch of the ocean with little to no disturbances.


    Amanda and Kael were standing at the deck, watching the sparring session between Cain and Serestia, casually conversing about various things.


    "Captain¡­" A soldier stopped their spar with a shout. "It¡¯s the imperial fleet."


    Everyone leaned to the railing and stared in the direction where a set of warships were coming toward them.


    Their crimson sails, adorned with the golden emblem of the Queendom, sliced through the waves like majestic beasts of war. Kael stood at the bow of the ship, arms crossed, watching as the navy closed in.


    "The Queen sure doesn¡¯t waste time," Cain muttered beside him, his eyes fixed on the approaching ships.


    "She¡¯s sending a message," Amanda replied. "After the abduction incident, she wants to show that no one lays a finger on her daughter without consequences."


    Kael, standing nearby, sighed. "Ikaris will be punished for failing to protect you. It¡¯s only natural."


    Amanda nodded in agreement. It was the way of the Queendom¡ªpower and authority ruled above all else.


    While Kael wasn¡¯t particularly concerned about Ikaris, the fact that there was only a set of seven ships indicated that those ships weren¡¯t going past them and launching an attack on Ikaris or something. He bet that they were here to escort them.


    However, he still didn¡¯t know why but he felt as if trouble was arriving.


    And then, he saw her.


    Among the royal escorts, a familiar figure stood at the helm of the leading ship, her silver hair dancing with the breeze, her violet eyes glimmering with mischief. The moment their eyes met, her lips turned into a triumphant smirk.


    Kael groaned. "Of course¡­ it¡¯s Laura."


    Amanda followed his gaze, and her entire expression darkened.


    "You¡¯ve got to be kidding me," she muttered.


    Cain, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, took a strategic step back. "Oh boy¡­ I¡¯m staying out of this one."


    From the moment Laura stepped onto the ship, Kael¡¯s life turned into a never-ending battle¡ªnot of swords, but of wills.


    If Amanda was regal, sharp-witted, and exuded the aura of someone with authority, then Laura was a tempest¡ªunpredictable, playful, and relentless in her pursuits.


    The two women, who had already spent years subtly competing over everything from intellect to charm, now had a new battlefield¡ªKael himself.


    It started with chess.


    "You made a blunder. Your Bastion is gone," Amanda announced, staring at Laura with the grace of a seasoned stateswoman.


    Laura narrowed her eyes and moved her horse-shaped chess piece, forking the king and the strongest piece on the board. "Check. there goes your General, sister."


    Amanda¡¯s brows twitched. She studied the board for a long moment, then scowled. "...It¡¯s a draw. No point in playing further."


    Laura clicked her tongue. "Tch. Again."


    They played for hours. And each match ended in a draw.


    Then came the cooking.


    Kael, foolishly, had allowed himself to be the judge.


    Amanda presented a beautifully plated dish¡ªseared fish with delicate spices. Laura countered with a more rustic approach¡ªa thick seafood stew.


    Both smelled divine.


    Both tasted like utter nightmares.


    Kael took a single bite of Amanda¡¯s fish and nearly choked on the overwhelming bitterness. He forced himself to swallow and turned to Laura¡¯s stew, only to be assaulted by a flavor so fiery it numbed his tongue instantly.


    Cain, sitting at the sidelines, quietly took a sip of wine and pretended not to exist. While he was happy that the princess came out of the shell, his secret envy of Kael did bring a bit of happiness, seeing him struggle between his two wives.


    Kael clenched his fists, comically crying inside as a graceful figure with a ladle in her hands appeared in his head. "I miss you, Melissa."


    The rivalry continued in ways neither of them excelled at¡ªembroidery, weaving, and even poetry. But no matter what they attempted, neither would accept defeat.


    The Nights Were Another Battle Entirely.

 Chapter 33: A new quest

    If their competitions during the day were absurd, the nights were outright madness.


    Laura was not shy about her affections, and Amanda, having fully embraced her feelings, was just as assertive.


    Kael, despite his Supreme realm endurance, soon realized that stamina wasn¡¯t the problem¡ªit was his sanity.


    One night, just as he was in the middle of having intercourse with Amanda, a drunken Laura waltzed into the room, her robes loose, her gaze smoldering.


    "Ahh~ so this is where you¡¯re hiding," she purred. "How unfair, big sister. Hoarding our husband all to yourself?"


    Amanda narrowed her eyes. "Leave, Laura."


    Laura merely giggled and crawled onto the bed, ignoring her sister¡¯s protest entirely.


    Kael barely survived as they took turns all night, competing over one another.


    The next morning, he called for an emergency meeting¡ªwith himself.


    "I need order," he muttered to his reflection in the mirror, his hair slightly disheveled from the previous night¡¯s chaos. "This is getting out of hand."


    And so, he laid down new rules.


    One day belonged entirely to Amanda. The next, to Laura. There would be no interruptions, no barging in, no surprise visits.


    It worked.


    For the first time since their voyage began, Kael felt peace.


    The Return to the Capital


    After a week of sailing, they finally reached the imperial city. The massive harbor bustled with activity as dock workers, soldiers, and nobles gathered to witness the arrival of the fleet.


    Amanda returned to the palace, and Kael, along with Laura, made his way back to the Moonstone estate.


    That evening, Laura was in an uncharacteristically good mood. She hummed as she walked through the halls, her steps light and playful.


    Melissa and Seraphina watched her curiously. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "She seems unusually happy," Melissa noted.


    Seraphina nodded. "It must be because Kael returned home."


    Neither of them knew the truth¡ªLaura wasn¡¯t happy because Kael was home. She was happy because Amanda wasn¡¯t.


    Finally, she had Kael all to herself.


    Or so she thought.


    Just as they sat down for dinner, the estate doors burst open. Soldiers entered, carrying chests, furniture, and personal belongings.


    At the center of the commotion stood Amanda, arms crossed, her regal posture unwavering as she surveyed the house.


    "I¡¯ll be living here from now on," she declared.


    The room fell silent.


    Kael blinked. "...What?"


    Laura¡¯s smile twitched.


    Melissa and Seraphina exchanged glances.


    Even Nyx¡ªthe spectral wolf, which had just taken a sip of special wine for it, coughed violently in surprise.


    Amanda merely smiled. "What? Did you think I would let my husband be left unsupervised?"


    Kael exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.


    Just when he thought he had found peace¡­


    The battlefield had shifted once again.


    *


    The morning sun bathed the imperial city in golden hues as Kael stepped out of the Moonstone Manor, ready to resume his work after a three-day break.


    Amanda and Laura stood at the entrance, each with a carriage waiting behind them.


    "I¡¯ll take you to the merchant guild," Amanda offered, adjusting the elegant cuffs of her robe. "It¡¯s on the way to the palace."


    Laura scoffed. "The palace is in the opposite direction, dear sister. I will take him. The state library is on the way."


    Kael hesitated. He could already feel the tension brewing. "Uh¡­"


    Neither of them budged. Their gazes locked, neither willing to concede an inch.


    Kael sighed. This is getting dangerous.


    Just as he was about to suggest walking, a soft voice cut through the brewing storm.


    "I¡¯ll take him."


    Seraphina emerged from the hall, her expression calm as ever. Dressed in the white and silver robes of the Church of Lumina, she looked every bit the graceful saint she was known to be.


    "I have business at the church today. I¡¯ll drop him off along the way."


    Amanda and Laura exchanged glances. Seraphina was the only one they both trusted completely. They knew about her celibate nature¡ªunlike them, she had never once shown interest in competing for Kael¡¯s attention.


    "¡­Fine," Amanda relented, stepping back.


    Laura huffed. "Only because it¡¯s you, Seraphina."


    Then, before Kael could even react, Amanda cupped his face and kissed him on the cheek.


    Laura smirked and did the same on the other side.


    "Have a good day, husband~," she whispered.


    Kael exhaled. Survived another battle.


    He climbed into the carriage with Seraphina, who watched him with an amused smile as the horses trotted forward.


    "You really are popular," she teased.


    Kael sighed. "More like hunted."


    Seraphina chuckled softly, turning her gaze outside. "That¡¯s not necessarily a bad thing."


    The bustling streets of the commercial district greeted them as they arrived at the Merchant Guild. The large stone building was alive with merchants haggling, adventurers striking deals, and scribes rushing to update ledgers.


    As soon as Kael stepped inside, the manager, a balding middle-aged man named Reiner, appeared in a rush.


    "Kael! You¡¯re finally here."


    Kael blinked. "What¡¯s going on?"


    Guild Manager Reiner grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the top floor.


    "News about the Crescent Starlight flower you sold us," Reiner explained. "You made quite a name for yourself."


    Kael raised an eyebrow. "That was just a rare find. What¡¯s so special about it?"


    Reiner stopped before an ornate door, pushed it open, and gestured to Kael inside.


    The room was filled with documents and magical artifacts, but what caught Kael¡¯s eye was a single parchment on the desk¡ªan official transaction record.


    "The client who bought the flower paid 100,000 gold coins for it," Reiner said, watching Kael¡¯s reaction.


    Kael frowned. "Wait¡­ didn¡¯t I sell it for merits instead of gold?"


    Reiner nodded. "Yes. You took 1,000 merits, which was fair at the time, but¡ª" He sighed. "If you had chosen gold, you could¡¯ve received 25,000 gold coins instead of merits. Anyway, that¡¯s not the point."


    Seraphina, who had remained silent until now, turned to Kael with mild surprise. "You chose merits over wealth?"


    Kael scratched his head. "I was thinking long-term. Merits help build my reputation."


    Reiner chuckled. "That¡¯s what I expected from you. But since the client paid four times the amount we estimated, we¡¯ve decided to give you 10,000 gold coins as compensation."


    Kael frowned. "That¡¯s unnecessary¡ª"


    Reiner shoved a heavy pouch into his hands. "Take it."


    Kael sighed and accepted it, slipping the pouch into his coat.


    Reiner cleared his throat. "That¡¯s not all. The client left a personal request for you."


    He handed Kael a sealed scroll.


    Kael hesitated before breaking the seal.


    The letter inside was written in elegant, flowing script:


    To the fortunate one who acquired the Crescent Starlight Flower,


    If you are reading this, then fate has chosen you.


    I invite you to join me on an expedition to the Ancient Tower of Zurin. A place of secrets, treasures, and dangers beyond imagination.


    This is not a mission for the faint-hearted. But if you have the courage to step forward, meet me at the Silver Moon Inn at dusk.


    You may refuse, but know this¡ªthe fate of this land may rest in the hands of those who dare to explore the unknown.


    ¡ªYour Benefactor


    Kael frowned as he scanned the letter again. The Tower of Zurin? He had never heard of such a place before.


    He glanced at Seraphina. "Do you know anything about this?"

 Chapter 34: The Secret Within

    Seraphina shook her head. "I¡¯ve read many historical records, but I¡¯ve never come across any mention of this tower. If it truly exists, then it must be one of the best-kept secrets in history."


    Kael continued reading the second part of the letter, under the Quest.


    "In the Tower of Zurin, luck is more important than strength. Many have tried, and most have failed. But I believe you, Kael Moonstone, might just have a chance because you have luck.


    Climb the tower and retrieve the legendary *Sword of Zurin*.


    I will pay you ten million gold coins for it. And as a bonus¡­ I will provide you with a clue to your sister¡¯s whereabouts.


    Meet me ten days from now, in the Forest of Eldreich¡¯s Valley.


    Kael¡¯s breath hitched. And he mumbled. "Mia¡­"


    His sister had gone for the past year, vanishing without a single trace. Even the best informants in the Information Guild couldn¡¯t uncover anything about her. And yet, this stranger¡ªwhoever they were¡ªclaimed to have information on her whereabouts.


    It was a tempting offer. Too tempting.


    His grip on the parchment tightened.


    Who is this person? How could they possibly know about Mia when even he, with all his resources, had come up empty?


    Then his eyes fell on the last line of the letter.


    "P.S: Burn this letter, and you will receive proof that my words are true."


    Kael¡¯s instincts screamed at him. This is a trap.


    But¡­ there was only one way to find out.


    Without hesitation, he channeled his mana into his palm and engulfed the letter, turning it into ashes.


    And then, suddenly¡ªwords appeared in the air.


    They glowed with an eerie golden light, forming a message.


    "I know the secret of your family. Mia is neither a human nor the daughter of your father. She is the offspring of your mother and an Archangel¡­ born from infidelity."


    Kael¡¯s world stopped.


    "What?" Seraphina gasped beside him. The manager took a step back, eyes wide with shock.


    The room fell into suffocating silence as the words dispersed into nothingness.


    Kael¡¯s face darkened as he processed the words. His fists clenched, barely controlling the rage filling his body. A secret that had been buried for years¡­ was now laid bare by an unknown stranger.


    Slowly, he turned his gaze toward the manager. His voice was cold and sharp.


    "Who is your client?"


    Reiner swallowed hard. "I¡­ I don¡¯t know." He grew nervous by the sudden change in Kael.


    Kael¡¯s patience snapped.


    In a blur, he moved forward and grabbed Reiner by the throat, lifting him off the ground with a single hand. The wooden desk trembled from the sheer force of Kael¡¯s suppressed anger. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seraphina¡¯s eyes widened. "Kael, wait¡ª!"


    Reiner gasped for air, his legs kicking in panic. "I swear¡ªI swear, I don¡¯t know!"


    Kael¡¯s grip tightened. His normally calm expression was gone, replaced by something lethal. "I can tell when someone is hiding, guild manager. Now, the name." He growled.


    Reiner¡¯s face turned red. "The¡­ client¡­ is from the Twilight Order!" he choked out.


    Kael¡¯s fingers stilled.


    He slowly lowered Reiner back to the ground. The manager collapsed, clutching his throat and wheezing.


    Seraphina took a deep breath. "Twilight Order¡­?"


    Reiner nodded weakly. "One of the most powerful underground organizations in the world. Their network spans across nations¡­ No one knows their true leader, but they control information, trade, and assassination contracts on a global scale."


    Kael narrowed his eyes. "And they¡¯re the ones behind this?"


    Reiner coughed. "That¡¯s all I know. If they¡¯re involved, this isn¡¯t just a simple mission anymore."


    Kael exhaled slowly, his mind racing. "The Twilight Order. Why would such a giant organization approach me for this quest? Do they know my secret identity? If they could uncover Mia¡¯s secret, they might uncover mine too. But, even if that were the case, no one in the world has yet to find out that I broke through to the Supreme realm. And they have Supreme realm experts in theirs too."


    It was clearing something about this was unsettling. However, he was also desperate to find his sister¡¯s whereabouts. He had to confront the man behind the quest.


    He glanced at Seraphina, who looked surprised, partly by the contents of the letter but mostly by her husband¡¯s reaction. Is this the same person she knows? Or Perhaps she and her sisters don¡¯t know much about their shared husband.


    "I need to go," he said. "I have seven days to prepare."


    Seraphina hesitated. "Kael¡­ I think we should discuss this at home."


    However, Kael¡¯s gaze hardened and said. "I¡¯m sorry but not even Her Majesty couldn¡¯t find my sister. I would have to get to the bottom of this, no matter what it takes."


    Kael exhaled, suppressing the fury burning in his chest. His mind was still reeling from the revelation. Mia¡­ No, he wouldn¡¯t jump to conclusions just yet. The words in the air had shaken him, but he needed to confirm things for himself.


    He turned to Reiner, who was still rubbing his throat, eyes filled with lingering fear.


    "Set up a meeting with your client. Right now."


    Reiner flinched. "I¡­ I can¡¯t."


    Kael¡¯s expression darkened.


    "I don¡¯t have any means to contact them!" Reiner quickly clarified, voice trembling. "They don¡¯t communicate directly. Everything is done through encoded letters and dead drops. Even if I wanted to, I have no way to reach them until they decide to reach out again."


    Kael studied him for a long moment, his piercing gaze searching for any sign of deceit. But Reiner seemed genuinely terrified.


    Finally, Kael let out a slow breath. "Fine."


    Reiner visibly relaxed, but it was short-lived.


    Kael leaned in close, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper.


    "If a single word of what happened here gets out¡­ if even one person outside of this room hears of it¡­" He let the threat hang in the air. His next words were slow and deliberate. "You, your family, and your closest friends will die¡­ without even knowing how. Don¡¯t underestimate me just because I look weak. My family has enough connections to make this threat very real."


    Reiner paled. His lips parted, but no words came out. He simply nodded, his entire body shaking.


    Kael straightened. Without another word, he turned on his heel and left the guild.


    Seraphina followed silently.


    As their figures disappeared from his sight, the manager mumbled. "This noble is different from what I thought. I can see it in his eyes. He had blood on his hands just like every other noblewoman out there, although I didn¡¯t understand how a mere Tier-1 intimidated a Tier-5 like me this much. For that moment I was going to die." Reiner touched his throat, his voice still quivering.

 Chapter 35: Taking up more quests

    Kael and Seraphina walked through the bustling streets in silence. The city moved around them as usual¡ªmerchants shouting their wares, nobles riding in elegant carriages, common folk haggling over goods.


    But for Kael, the noise faded into the background.


    His mind was elsewhere.


    The Twilight Order, The Tower of Zurin. And most importantly, Mia.


    The thought of his sister being used as a bargaining chip made his blood boil. He needed answers. And he needed them fast.


    As they turned a corner, he suddenly stopped.


    Seraphina halted beside him, watching as he took a deep breath and rubbed his temple. "Seraphina." His voice was softer now, less cold but still serious.


    "Yes?"


    He glanced at her, his usual smile nowhere to be seen.


    "Please don¡¯t speak of this to anyone," he said quietly. "Not to your sisters. Not to the servants. No one."


    Seraphina studied him for a moment.


    "Do you think they would betray you? I and my sisters might have our opinion differences but we would never do something that would even remotely hurt you."


    Kael shook his head. "No, I don¡¯t mean that¡­ But I just don¡¯t trust the servants. If this information spreads through them¡ªeven by accident¡ªthere will be consequences." His fingers curled slightly. "If people find out the truth about Mia, my mother¡¯s name will be disgraced."


    Seraphina¡¯s expression softened.


    "¡­And the public might think her death was justified," she murmured.


    Kael¡¯s jaw tightened. He didn¡¯t respond, but she already knew the answer.


    Seraphina let out a slow breath. "I understand."


    Kael nodded, grateful. "Thank you."


    With that, they resumed walking, their footsteps blending into the sounds of the city.


    Far away, on a distant rooftop¡­


    A lone figure stood, watching Kael and Seraphina through a long telescope.


    The figure smirked.


    "The worm bites the hook¡­" She murmured, lowering the telescope. A faint chuckle escaped her lips.


    "All that¡¯s left¡­ is to throw it in the waters¡ª" Her gaze sharpened, voice dripping with amusement¡ª "to draw out the fish."


    *


    Kael and Seraphina strolled through the city, letting the hum of everyday life settle around them. The earlier tension had faded¡ªat least on the surface.


    By the time they returned to the Merchant Guild, Kael had regained his composure.


    Reiner, still slightly pale from their last conversation, personally handed him a list of available missions.


    "As a Silver-tier merchant, you now have access to more profitable and prestigious tasks," Reiner explained, still wary but professional. "Here are a few that might suit you."


    Kael scanned through the missions, eyes narrowing as he considered his options.


    Quest 1: Procuring Weapons and Armor


    Objective: Purchase and deliver a batch of weapons and armor sets for a client.


    Reward: 250 merits


    Budget: 1,000 gold coins (only 30% advance payment provided) S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael arched a brow. "They expect me to front my own money?"


    This kind of mission was risky for merchants who didn¡¯t have a solid financial base. After all, if the client bailed, they could lose hundreds of gold coins. But for him, gold wasn¡¯t an issue. Not to mention, weapons were always in demand. In the worst case, he could still sell them to weapon store owners. But, fortunately, this client probably wouldn¡¯t because it is a Countess. Without a valid reason, a person of such stature couldn¡¯t back out.


    The problem was that merchants could not dare to offend a Countess by doing a bad job on the quest, whether it was taking longer time, requesting more money in advance, or delivering inferior quality weapons. However, Kael was different. He didn¡¯t have any issue with this.


    He moved to the next one.


    Quest 2: Banquet Supplies for a Noble


    Objective: Oversee procurement and delivery of premium ingredients and wines for a banquet.


    Reward: 150 merits


    Budget: 6,000 gold coins (2,000 gold advanced)


    This one was straightforward but had another red flag¡ªthe client¡¯s identity was kept secret.


    Nobles rarely hid their names unless they were involved in something shady. Either this was an exclusive event that required utmost discretion, or the banquet was for someone controversial.


    He rubbed his chin. Food and wine meant dealing with suppliers, ensuring quality control, and making sure everything arrived on time.


    Not difficult, but a single mistake could mean paying damages out of pocket. Also, his Moonstone House would pay with its fame. But at the same time, there was another kind of risk here. He is the Queen¡¯s son-in-law and husband of five imperial princesses. Supplying for a noble might hurt their reputation, too.


    His gaze lingered on the quest for a while. His hesitation looked evident.


    Seraphina understood his dilemma and spoke. "Kael, you are a rookie merchant. If you want to develop your career, you would have to take every opportunity you could find and turn it into success. None of us would try to stop you, and we will try our best to accomplish your goals. But, if you are not comfortable, you don¡¯t need to take it."


    Her words of encouragement brought a smile to his face. He nodded. "Thanks, Dear."


    Kael then flipped to take a look at the next parchment.


    Quest 3: Orphanage Sponsorship


    Objective: Visit the orphanage, obtain a supply list, and secure a one-year sponsorship.


    Reward: 170 merits


    Kael tapped his fingers against the parchment. This is more than just a simple task¡ªit¡¯s a test.


    Finding someone willing to donate for a full year wasn¡¯t easy, and neither was the reward any better, but if he can pull this off, his reputation will surely rise in the guild.


    And reputation was a merchant¡¯s greatest currency.


    Finally, his eyes landed on the last one.


    Quest 4: Selling a Haunted Mansion


    Objective: Help an elderly couple sell their mansion. It¡¯s rumored to be haunted.


    Reward: 200 merits, 10% commission.


    Kael furrowed his brows. "Haunted?"


    As an assassin who hunted down the corrupted nobles and wealthy individuals, he had seen such tactics.


    As soon as he read the quest details, he was sure that someone wanted to either drive the price down through rumors or take revenge against the couple. But at the same time, it is also tough to find buyers who would purchase a haunted house for a decent price.


    Kael didn¡¯t know how much the guild would take the commission from profits or how much they have charged the couple for this quest but since he gets additional commission for this task, he decided to work his best to accomplish it.


    "So, Kael. Which one did you like?" Seraphina curiously asked. After a brief pause, she added. "The second one is easy to accomplish if you ask me. It is more money and less work for us, as we know where to look for the ingredients and the wine that nobles would usually like in their banquets."


    Kael didn¡¯t give her a reply and instead stacked the parchments together, considering his options.


    None of these quests were particularly dangerous, but each had its own challenge.


    After brief consideration, he looked up at Reiner.


    "I¡¯ll take all four." He said, slipping the parchments into his storage ring.


    "Eh? All four?" Seraphina was taken aback.


    Reiner blinked. "All four? You¡¯re aware that juggling multiple quests can be challenging¡ª"


    Kael smirked. "The more challenging the quest is, the better it is for me."

 Chapter 36: Exploring the blackmarket

    "The more challenging the quest is, the better it is for me."


    Those words made Seraphina sigh in resignation. She knew that this recklessness of her husband wouldn¡¯t disappear so soon. She didn¡¯t argue and stayed silent.


    Reiner hesitated before nodding. "Very well. Lord Moonstone, if you succeed, this will net you 770 merits¡ªa decent step toward Gold-tier status."


    Kael knew it wasn¡¯t much in the grand scheme. To reach the Gold tier, he needed 10,000 merits. Merchants¡¯ evaluation is different from adventurers. If an adventurer slays one dragon, they would automatically be pushed to Adamantine, but it is next to impossible for a merchant to reach such a stage unless they had direct deals with the imperial palaces of atleast ten queendoms all over the world.


    The highest active merchant across the Queendom of Elyria was only an Emerald tier.


    The ranking system was indeed brutal. It goes like this:


    Novice (10 merits)


    Iron (100 merits)


    Bronze (1,000 merits)


    Silver (10,000 merits)


    Gold (100,000 merits)


    Platinum (1,000,000 merits)


    Sapphire (10,000,000 merits)


    Emerald (100,000,000 merits plus recognition as a direct dealer to the imperial palace)


    Ruby (100,000,000 merits plus recognition as a direct dealer to imperial palaces of atleast three Queendoms)


    Adamantine (100,000,000 merits plus recognition as a direct dealer to imperial palaces of atleast ten Queendoms)


    Those who reached the Gold tier were considered trustworthy elites. Discounts, influence, connections¡ªit opened doors far beyond just money.


    And Kael? He wasn¡¯t stopping at Gold.


    He was aiming for higher.


    ***


    The streets grew darker as Kael and Seraphina ventured deeper into the slums.


    The grand, polished roads of the merchant district were long behind them, replaced by uneven cobblestone paths riddled with cracks and filth. The air was thick with the scent of damp wood, sweat, and something metallic¡ªlikely blood.


    Seraphina, draped in a black hooded robe, glanced around warily. It was her first time in such a place.


    Why would a noble lord, an heir to a powerful ancient house, willingly walk into the black market?


    She assumed Kael wanted to keep his identity hidden. But as they neared the entrance of the underground bazaar, her assumptions shattered.


    Everyone was dressed the same.


    Cloaked figures moved through the market like shadows, their faces obscured beneath hoods, veils, or masks.


    Even the shopkeepers¡ªthose selling their illicit goods¡ªwere clad in black robes.


    Seraphina exhaled sharply. So, this wasn¡¯t about Kael¡¯s identity at all. This was just¡­ how things worked here.


    But at the same time, the fact that her husband knew it beforehand could only mean one thing. He wasn¡¯t here for the first time. Seraphina couldn¡¯t help but cast a suspicious gaze at Kael¡¯s back. "Assassin K protecting him, a spectral wolf bonding to his soul, that killing intent and intimidation tactic he displayed in the morning, and now, being familiar with the rules of the underground market, Kael is becoming more and more mysterious¡­" Her mind raced with thoughts.


    Kael, on the other hand, moved casually, unbothered.


    His steps were confident as if he had walked these streets many times before.


    Seraphina followed in silence, scanning their surroundings. Unlike the lively, open-air markets of the city, the black market had an eerie stillness to it. No one shouted to advertise their wares. No one laughed or idled in conversation.


    Instead, business was conducted in hushed voices.


    Gloved hands exchanged coins for weapons, alchemical concoctions, forbidden relics, and even information.


    "How do you know this place?" Seraphina finally asked in a low whisper.


    Kael chuckled. "A merchant who doesn¡¯t know where to find cheap goods isn¡¯t a very good merchant, don¡¯t you think?"


    His answer didn¡¯t satisfy her at all. This wasn¡¯t just cheap goods. This was an entirely different world.


    And Kael knew it too well. Her suspicion only grew stronger.


    Kael led her through winding alleys before stopping at a wholesale shop.


    The wooden stall was aged, its sign barely readable under layers of dust and dirt. Inside, crates of rusty swords, dented armor, and battered shields were stacked haphazardly.


    A hunched man, face concealed beneath a crow-shaped mask, stood behind the counter. His eyes gleamed like a vulture spotting fresh prey.


    Kael stepped forward. "How much for the whole batch?"


    The shopkeeper tilted his head. "The whole batch? These are... not of the finest quality, you know."


    "I know," Kael smirked. "That¡¯s why I¡¯m asking for the whole batch."


    The shopkeeper¡¯s beady eyes narrowed. "Two hundred gold coins."


    Kael scoffed. "For this pile of rust? Fifty." He raised his hand, showing his five fingers. For a man, his fingers were a bit too beautiful and long.


    Seraphina nearly choked. "Fifty? That¡¯s not haggling¡ªit¡¯s robbery."


    The shopkeeper made a choking noise of his own. "You insult me, sir. This is quality work¡ª"


    "Really?" Kael kicked a nearby helmet. It rattled like a tin can.


    "One good hit and this will shatter," he said dryly. "Seventy-five gold coins. That¡¯s me being generous."


    The shopkeeper hesitated. His gloved fingers tapped against the counter as he studied Kael¡¯s face. "One Hundred. I can¡¯t reduce it further."


    Kael stared at him for a few seconds. Finally, he sighed. "Fine. One hundred. Give the whole lot." He smirked under the hood and tossed a small pouch of coins onto the counter.


    As laborers loaded the battered equipment onto a cart, Seraphina couldn¡¯t stay silent any longer.


    Her brows furrowed in disapproval as she crossed her arms.


    "Are you seriously planning to deliver this junk to the Countess?"


    Her voice was low, but her displeasure was evident.


    A noble wouldn¡¯t tolerate subpar goods. Even if the Countess wouldn¡¯t dare to scold the Queen¡¯s son-in-law, it would still earn them a bad reputation. That¡¯s even worse.


    Kael, however, didn¡¯t seem fazed. Instead, he gave her a relaxed smile, storing all the things from the cart in his storage ring.


    "Just trust me."


    Seraphina¡¯s lips thinned.


    "Kael, this isn¡¯t just business. Your reputation is also at stake here."


    "And it won¡¯t be a problem," he said smoothly, moving past her. "Come on. We¡¯re not done yet."


    Seraphina hesitated, watching him with narrowed eyes before sighing and following.


    Their next stop took them to Steel Alley, a hidden lane where raw metals and alloys were sold.


    The scent of heated iron and oil hung thick in the air. Unlike the other parts of the market, this place echoed with the rhythmic clang of blacksmiths forging weapons in shadowy corners.


    Instead of finished weapons, ingots of steel, copper, and rare alloys were stacked in neat rows under guarded stalls.


    Kael stopped at one of the larger vendors, scanning the slabs of steel alloys on display.


    "How much for the best-quality batch?" he asked.


    The blacksmith, a burly man with arms like tree trunks, eyed Kael up and down. "Depends. You looking for durability or flexibility?"


    Kael¡¯s lips twitched. "I need both."


    The blacksmith let out a grunt and motioned toward a crate of dark steel alloy.


    "Two hundred gold coins for the whole lot."


    Kael nodded and handed over the coins without argument.


    Seraphina raised a brow.


    "You haggled over rusted weapons but not over this?"


    Kael smirked. "Because this is worth every coin."


    Right then, realization finally struck her.


    Kael wasn¡¯t planning to deliver low-quality weapons to the Countess.


    He was planning to reforge them.


    By purchasing cheap, damaged goods and acquiring high-quality steel separately, he was cutting costs while ensuring that the final weapons would be of superior quality.


    Seraphina blinked, stunned. "You¡¯re going to have them melted down and reforged."


    Kael¡¯s lips turned into a smile. "Yes," He said with a nod. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seraphina couldn¡¯t help but shake her head with a smile, secretly being proud of her husband. Putting her suspicions aside, at the very least, her husband¡¯s notable quality isn¡¯t just his looks, as people in their social circle deemed it to be. He was smart, and she had something that she could brag about him if some noble made any unpleasant comments about Kael. That itself is a happy occasion for her.


    "Here you go." As Kael was handing over the pouch of gold coins to the shopkeeper, something at the corner of the shop caught his eye.


    A small idol of a cat, its form carved with simple precision, sat atop a dusty shelf. The surface was rough and aged, coated in a layer of rust, yet despite the wear, the idol¡¯s pure black color remained untouched.


    Kael felt a strange pull toward it.


    He turned to the shopkeeper, who had been stacking ingots onto a weighing scale. "Say, how much for that idol?"


    The man paused, following Kael¡¯s gaze. His shoulders tensed. Then, in an almost bored tone, he waved a hand.


    "Take it. Free of charge."


    Kael narrowed his eyes. "Free?"


    Seraphina stepped closer, her expression darkening. "It¡¯s cursed."


    The shopkeeper let out a dry chuckle. "That obvious, huh?" He leaned on the counter, tapping his fingers against the wood. "Sold that thing over seven times. But no matter who buys it, they always return it to me and give it back due to nightmares. I¡¯m not sure whether the idol is cursed or me."

 Chapter 37: Earning Seraphina’s respect

    "Cursed idol, huh? Let¡¯s see¡­"


    Kael studied the idol again, narrowing his eyes. There were no engravings, no sigils of dark magic.


    It simply looked... ordinary.


    Too ordinary.


    Seraphina folded her arms. "If there was a spirit bound to it, I would have sensed it. But there¡¯s something... off."


    The shopkeeper huffed. "Don¡¯t care what it is. You want it, take it. Just don¡¯t bring it back."


    Kael hesitated for only a second before reaching for it.


    The moment his fingers brushed the surface¡ª


    ¡ªhis vision flickered.


    For a split second, he wasn¡¯t in the shop anymore.


    He was somewhere else.


    A pair of glowing eyes¡ªslitted like a predator¡¯s¡ªstared back at him from the abyss.


    And then, just as quickly, the vision vanished.


    Kael sucked in a breath. His grip on the idol tightened, feeling its unexpected weight settle into his palm. "What in the hell was that¡­"


    Kael didn¡¯t understand what happened earlier but it actually sent a chill down his spine for that moment.


    However, he didn¡¯t let go. He simply exhaled, steadied himself, and tossed it into his storage ring instead.


    Seraphina frowned. "You don¡¯t even know what kind of curse it has."


    Kael flashed her a small, confident smirk. "Without risk, there¡¯s no reward."


    She sighed, rubbing her temple. "You are as reckless as ever."


    But Kael wasn¡¯t finished. He looked at her, eyes sharp as he retrieved the idol from the storage ring and tossed it to her. "Here, feel the weight."


    As she caught it, she felt it was as light as a feather. "Hmm? This is strange."


    Kael leaned against her, whispering in her ear. "There was a spell of weight reduction applied to it."


    She blinked. "Why?"


    Kael continued, "And more importantly... that black color? It¡¯s not paint. I bought a similar-looking dagger in the Witch Tower¡¯s auction."


    Seraphina¡¯s breath hitched as realization struck.


    She heard about it from Amanda a while back, as the latter praised Kael for his intellect and knowledge. But, as Amanda became more like Laura, an obsessive wife who lusts for an intimate session with Kael every opportunity gets, Seraphina stopped taking her words seriously.


    Now, after spending time with him in the black market, she couldn¡¯t help but believe Kael¡¯s logic instead of simply refuting it. "Adamantine." The word left her lips in a whisper.


    Kael nodded, a spark of excitement in his gaze. "If we can break the curse, we¡¯re holding something worth a city."


    Seraphina¡¯s eyes widened. "Then we need to take this to the royal palace¡ª"


    But Kael¡¯s face hardened. "You know what your mother is like."


    Seraphina flinched.


    Kael continued, voice calm but firm. "The moment the queen learns about this, she¡¯ll take it. She might compensate me with money, land, or weapons, but in the end, I¡¯d be handing over a priceless artifact for material possessions."


    His fingers brushed against his storage ring after tossing the idol back into it.


    "And if I reject the queen¡¯s offer, by that time, the news about this artifact will reach several ears, and I¡¯m too weak to protect it. In the end, I would still have to hand it over to Her Majesty. So, I hope you will keep this a secret."


    A heavy silence hung between them.


    Seraphina clenched her jaw. She knew he was right.


    If the nobility got wind of this, Kael would be forced to give it up.


    Seraphina sighed. "Fine. But what about the curse?"


    Kael smirked. "I have the spectral wolf on my side, remember?" He sounded confident and Seraphina felt like she wanted to believe in him, again.


    "Alright. My lips are sealed. Not even my sisters would be hearing of this matter through me." She promised.


    Kael looked at her and smiled. "Thank you."


    Kael and Seraphina spent another hour wandering through the black market in the hopes of finding any treasure. But they weren¡¯t lucky anyway, and he lost his interest in exploring the entire market anymore as he had more pressing matters to handle.


    So, they left the slums behind, weaving through the winding alleys until they stepped back onto the brighter streets of the city.


    Their next stop? The smithy.


    The moment Kael stepped inside, the scent of burning coal and molten metal filled his nostrils.


    *Ting* Ting* Ting*


    The rhythmic sound of hammers striking steel rang through the air as blacksmiths toiled over their forges. The heat was oppressive, sweat clinging to every surface, but Kael walked forward without hesitation.


    A burly man with a thick beard and arms wiped his hands on a rag before eyeing them. "What do you need?" He asked.


    Kael waved a hand, and with a flick of his storage ring, a pile of rusted swords, dented shields, and battered armor clattered onto the smithy¡¯s wooden counter.


    The blacksmith frowned. "This is junk."


    Kael smirked. "That¡¯s why I brought it here." He pulled out another set of items¡ªthe steel alloy slabs he¡¯d purchased from the black market. "I need these reforged. Strip away the rust, sharpen the edges and strengthen the armor. I want them looking good as new."


    The blacksmith stroked his beard. "That¡¯ll cost you."


    Kael didn¡¯t flinch. "How much?" sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Three hundred gold coins."


    Kael arched an eyebrow. "You do realize I¡¯ve already brought the materials? You won¡¯t need to spend a single material from your smithy."


    The blacksmith scoffed. "Still takes time and labor, lad."


    Kael folded his arms. "150."


    "250."


    Kael stared him down, letting a heavy silence stretch between them. Finally, he pulled out a small pouch of coins and set it on the table. "200. Final offer. Or else, I would take these to another smithy. Do we have a deal?"


    The blacksmith grunted but accepted. "Fine. Come back in two days."


    Kael nodded, satisfied, before turning to Seraphina. "Next stop?"


    She smiled faintly. "The orphanage."


    As they arrived at the Sunrise Orphanage, the difference between this place and the bustling city was like night and day. The wooden building was old but sturdy, and despite its humble appearance, the sound of children¡¯s laughter echoed through the air.


    But Kael noticed it right away.


    Thin faces. Ragged clothes. Worn-out shoes.


    They were surviving. But just barely.


    A frail-looking old man, the orphanage manager, greeted them at the entrance. His eyes widened in recognition when he saw Seraphina, bowing respectfully.


    "Your Highness! What a blessing to have you here."


    Seraphina immediately went to work, kneeling down to check on the children, her soft glow of healing magic easing their coughs and aches.


    Meanwhile, Kael pulled the manager aside. He took out the parchment.


    "I¡¯m here because of the Quest. Need the supply list so that I can estimate the costs for the entire year and look for the sponsors."


    The old man hesitated. "We... we make do with what we have, my lord. We cannot ask for too much."


    Kael gave him a pointed look. "I didn¡¯t ask what you could ¡¯make do¡¯ with. I asked what you need."


    The manager sighed and handed him a carefully written list.


    Kael¡¯s gaze swept over it. Food, clothes, blankets, medical herbs. But, in his view, they might at best only last them three months, not the whole year.


    His mind did quick calculations. Roughly 4,000 gold coins if he multiplies that amount for the whole year. If someone pledges it every quarterly, it would cost around 1000 gold coins.


    After careful consideration, Kael tucked the list away and pulled out a contract.


    The manager blinked in confusion. "What is this?"


    Kael handed him a quill and the ink. "A sponsorship contract. The House of Moonstone will provide for this orphanage for the next year. Whatever you asked, we will double the amount and send them every quarter."


    The old man nearly dropped the quill.


    "M-My lord, this is¡ª"


    Kael continued his voice even. "Not only will we send the batch of supplies every quarter, but we¡¯ll also provide another 1,000 gold coins for education and books."


    The manager¡¯s eyes turned glassy, his hands trembling as he clutched the parchment. "You¡­ you don¡¯t have to do this."


    Kael exhaled. His expression softened.


    "I was an orphan too."


    The old man¡¯s lips parted in surprise.


    Kael¡¯s voice was steady, but his fingers curled slightly into a fist.


    "My parents died when we were children, and it was just me and my sister, relying on each other as we grow up. I know what it¡¯s like¡ªto grow up without the warmth of parents. But I was lucky to be born in a noble household. So, I never struggled to acquire the things I want." His gaze turned to the children playing in the yard. "I might not be able to give them the love of a family. But I can make sure they never have to wonder where their next meal is coming from. And I will take responsibility for their education. My parents will probably be smiling from heaven if they see their unfilial son could transform the lives of the misfortunate."


    A lump formed in the manager¡¯s throat. With shaking hands, he signed the contract. "Bless you, my lord. Truly, bless you."


    Kael gave him a small nod.


    Across the yard, Seraphina watched everything from the corner of her eyes as she continued to treat the children.


    For the first time since they left the black market, her lips curled into a genuine smile. "Kael is becoming more and more mysterious. It¡¯s a pity that Shiera cannot see this side of him. Perhaps, she will change her opinion when she gets to spend more time with him."

 Chapter 38: Rowena Blackthorn (1/2)

    By the time they finished with their quest, the sun had already moved to the top of everyone¡¯s head. It was past nood and a hungry Kael and Seraphina went to a restaurant for lunch.


    The clinking of porcelain and the murmur of conversation filled the air as Kael and Seraphina sat across from each other at a refined, high-end restaurant. Sunlight streamed through the large, crystal-clear windows, casting warm golden hues over the pristine white tablecloth.


    Kael took a slow sip of his tea, enjoying the brief moment of peace. Or at least, he thought so.


    From the corner of his eye, he noticed glances¡ªno, outright stares from the noble ladies around them.


    "Hey, look at him. So handsome. *Squeal*" "Hey, you are married, for god¡¯s sake." "So what? Can¡¯t I enjoy the beauty in my leisure time?"


    "Ugh¡­ look at his skin. It was smoother than mine. I wonder what kind of water and soap he uses." "What¡¯s the use, he is too weak. Look at his mana. It is barely above Tier-1." "So what? A man doesn¡¯t need mana as long as the woman has the capability to feed him. If I could get such a husband, he doesn¡¯t need to do anything. I¡¯ll give him my entire savings to keep up his appearance." "Please, any appearance will fade away once they enter the Middle Ages." "Youth is there to enjoy, sister."


    "Are they a couple?" "Doesn¡¯t seem that way. Look at that woman. She was wearing clergy attire. A healer of the church?" "Shall we go and say Hello to them?" "Shh¡­ don¡¯t. Look at his attire. He is probably a young noble lord of some wealthy House." "Hey, look. He was looking at me¡­"


    "Hey, I think I have seen that woman before." "It¡¯s the princess." "Princess? Which one? All of them have the silver hair." "Not all of them, the eldest and the fifth princess inherited the late King consort¡¯s dark hair. Anyway, it is Princess Seraphina." "Then, that handsome fellow beside her should be Lord Moonstone." "Yeah, I heard that his wives were quite protective of him."


    Some whispered behind their fans, others made no effort to hide their open admiration. A few even giggled when he met their gaze.


    Kael sighed, keeping his head down. It was a scene he had been accustomed to for several years now. However, it still bothers him.


    Seraphina, on the other hand, didn¡¯t even glance up from her meal. Instead, she passed a comment. "It¡¯s a good thing I¡¯m the one here with you today and not my fourth sister."


    Kael swallowed his bite, tilting his head. "What do you mean? Does Laura hate this restaurant? I should have known it." Her comment threw him off guard a bit.


    Seraphina¡¯s fork paused mid-air. This time, she was the one who was taken aback.


    Kael, oblivious to her thoughts, continued. "I actually brought her here once. We had dinner here. She said she enjoyed the dishes but was frowning the whole time." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seraphina¡¯s expression turned unreadable.


    A heavy silence stretched between them.


    Then, with a small shake of her head, Seraphina returned to her food. "Forget it. It¡¯s nothing."


    Kael, sensing that whatever it was wasn¡¯t ¡¯nothing,¡¯ raised an eyebrow but decided not to press further.


    Instead, Seraphina quickly changed the topic. "What do you plan to do with that statue?"


    Kael¡¯s posture stiffened ever so slightly.


    The cursed idol. The adamantine cat.


    His fingers curled around his cup, choosing his words carefully. "Wait for the right time."


    Seraphina narrowed her eyes. "That¡¯s vague."


    Kael chuckled, trying to appear relaxed. "That¡¯s intentional."


    Seraphina sighed. "You¡¯re impossible."


    Before the conversation could continue, a burst of laughter rang out, loud and unapologetic. "Oh, look here, who it is. It is the princess and her pet peacock."


    Kael glanced toward the entrance, only to see two noblewomen making their way toward them. He frowned.


    Seraphina¡¯s demeanor also instantly shifted. Her usual calm, composed presence hardened. "Rowena." A name escaped her lips.


    The taller of the two women was dressed in an elegant deep-red gown, her gloved hands resting lightly on the handle of a delicate, feathered fan. She moved with effortless grace, her sharp eyes locking onto Kael like a predator who had just spotted something interesting.


    The moment Kael heard the name, his frown deepened further.


    Rowena Blackthorn, Marquessa of the Iron Barrens.


    A two-star general, whose name was whispered both in reverence and fear.


    Kael had heard about her exploits¡ªhow she once single-handedly fought and killed a Kraken in the open ocean a couple of years ago, turning the tide of a war.


    But his wariness came from something else entirely.


    Rowena was also infamous for the way she treated her enemies.


    It was said that when she defeated a terrorist organization, she didn¡¯t just kill the leaders¡ªshe hunted down their families, their children, and anyone who could one day rise for revenge. Not even babies were spared.


    Some called it ruthless efficiency.


    Others called it butchery.


    Her reputation as a warrior was unmatched.


    Her reputation as a merciless executor of justice was terrifying.


    And she was one of the few people Kael hated but couldn¡¯t take action against her. Not that he is powerless to assassinate her or something. It is just that it goes against his principles of assassinating someone.


    He only assassinates two types of people.


    One, those who are corrupted or have done evil acts and also have their names registered in the complaint but the palace couldn¡¯t give the victims any justice because of whatever reason.


    Two, those who threaten his life or his loved ones.


    Rowena doesn¡¯t fit in either of those things, or atleast, so far.


    And now, that very woman stood before him, her lips curved into a knowing smile. "Well, well. What a pleasant surprise indeed."


    Seraphina met her gaze, unflinching.


    Rowena¡¯s fan snapped open with a flick of her wrist, its delicate fabric concealing half of her smirking face. She didn¡¯t spare Kael even a passing glance. Instead, her sharp gaze locked onto Seraphina, her expression filled with amused disdain.


    "Princess Seraphina. I didn¡¯t expect to see you here. What a moment of coincidence, right after I had an argument with your sister, Prime Minister Amanda."


    Her voice dripped with a mocking scoff as she tapped her fan against her chin.


    "Marquessa Blackthorn." Seraphina¡¯s jaw tightened.


    She didn¡¯t acknowledge the insult, nor did she return the greeting in politeness, even for formality. Instead, she remained composed, taking a measured sip of her tea.


    Kael, on the other hand, remained silent, eating his meal as if nothing was happening.


    But the Marquessa wasn¡¯t done.


    She pulled out a chair without asking and sat down, her presence heavy with entitlement. The deliberate act of inviting herself to their table was more than just arrogance. It seemed like a challenge.


    Seraphina¡¯s fingers clenched subtly around her fork before she set it down with practiced grace.


    Her voice was calm, but her words were sharp. "Marquessa Blackthorn. If you have business with us, speak. If not, leave."


    Rowena¡¯s smirk widened on her statement. "Oh?" She leaned forward, resting her elbow on the table, ignoring the clear hostility in Seraphina¡¯s tone. "And what exactly will you do if I don¡¯t, princess?"


    Seraphina¡¯s eyes darkened. "You¡¯ll find out soon enough."


    Rowena chuckled, tapping her fan against the table. "Please, don¡¯t make me laugh. What can a powerless princess and her pet peacock (Kael) do to me? Do you want to complain to your mama or something?"


    Kael, still calmly stirring his soup, made no reaction to the insult.


    However, Seraphina¡¯s patience snapped. She opened her mouth, ready to give Rowena a piece of her mind¡ª


    It was then a low growl rumbled through the air.


    *Grrr¡­*


    The temperature around them seemed to drop, a chilling presence coiling around the table like a silent predator.


    Seraphina¡¯s breath caught as a spectral wolf materialized at Kael¡¯s side. The other customers around started leaving their seats instantly as the beast¡¯s glowing eyes locked onto Rowena with an unnatural intensity.


    The Marquessa¡¯s smirk vanished. "A Tier-7 beast king?"


    In a flash, the wolf lunged without any hesitation.


    Rowena instinctively raised her arm, her warrior¡¯s reflexes kicking in¡ªbut it was too late.


    The spectral wolf¡¯s fangs sank into her forearm.


    *crack*


    "Argh... you fuc***g do..."


    With a snarl, it wrenched its head, flinging Rowena across the restaurant before she finished her curse.


    She slammed into a table, splintering the wood beneath her weight. Kael and Seraphina¡¯s table wasn¡¯t disturbed the least.


    Gasps and screams erupted from the other patrons as chairs scraped against the floor, people stumbling backward to flee, without bothering to pay. The staff also either fled outside or to the kitchens for their safety. The restaurant, once filled with elegant murmurs and soft laughter, had suddenly descended into chaos.


    And yet, at the center of it all, Kael simply lifted his spoon to his lips, taking another sip of spirit chicken soup.


    Seraphina, still tense, stole a glance at her husband. He hadn¡¯t moved. He hadn¡¯t reacted so far.


    He had merely continued eating. It was as if he had nothing to do with the situation and wasn¡¯t bothered by the chaos around.


    The spectral wolf, soon, faded into nothingness, leaving only a haunting silence.


    Rowena groaned, pushing herself up from the wreckage, her eyes blazing with fury.


    She whipped her head toward Kael.


    "You¡­ Moonstone!"


    Kael, without sparing her a glance, gently set his spoon down. He spoke. "So, you know my name, after all. Nice to meet you, Marquessa Blackthorn."

 Chapter 39: Rowena Blackthorn (2/2)

    "You¡­ Moonstone!"


    Kael, without sparing her a glance, gently set his spoon down. He spoke. "So, you know my name, after all. Nice to meet you, Marquessa. Now, if you excuse us, we need to go. I thank you for covering the restaurant¡¯s damage bill."


    Then, he turned to Seraphina, a relaxed smile on his lips.


    "Shall we decide where to go next?" he asked as if nothing had happened. "The haunted mansion or the vineyard?"


    Seraphina blinked, stunned for a moment¡ªbefore a slow, knowing smile curved her lips. It was deeply satisfying. And in that moment, her husband had never looked cooler.


    She elegantly wiped her mouth with a napkin, rising from her seat. "The vineyard," she replied smoothly. "It¡¯s best to deal with hauntings at night, after all."


    Kael nodded in agreement, tossing a few gold coins onto the table as payment before extending his arm.


    Seraphina involuntarily took it and rose to her feet.


    Rowena¡¯s breath was ragged with rage. She pushed herself up from the shattered remains of the table, her knuckles white from how tightly she clenched her fists.


    "Kael Moonstone."


    His name came out in a low growl; she was filled with rage, and killing intent poured out of her body.


    Seraphina grew nervous. "Kael."


    Kael, however, still hadn¡¯t even looked at her.


    That only infuriated Rowena more.


    She lunged.


    Her boots thundered against the wooden floor as she closed the distance, her hand poised to strike¡ª


    Seraphina instinctively tensed, her breath catching. Her feet moved and she stood before her husband, trying to defend him.


    She knew Rowena was always a ticking time bomb. A single insult, a single misstep, could set her off¡ªand now she was furious.


    Kael, however, remained completely calm. He didn¡¯t flinch a bit. He slowly pushed Seraphina aside and looked at the woman. "Let me take care of it."


    "Kael, what do you¡­" Seraphina was confused, her eyes filling with worry,


    Rowena almost reached him with her fist and it was that moment Kael raised his hand. And in his grasp, a small, gleaming badge caught the light.


    Seraphina¡¯s eyes widened. "That¡¯s¡­"


    Rowena froze in her spot. Her momentum halted instantly, her boots skidding against the floor as she recoiled back, eyes locked onto the object.


    The restaurant fell into complete silence.


    Even the patrons who had been whispering in hushed tones stopped.


    Because in Kael¡¯s hand was the official seal of the Prime Minister.


    A single drop of sweat rolled down Rowena¡¯s temple.


    Kael stared at her blankly. His voice was calm, cold, and indifferent. "Laying hands on me while I carry this¡­"


    Finally, he tilted his head ever so slightly in her direction, his gaze flickering toward her for the first time.


    "¡­is the same as laying hands on the Prime Minister of the state. Your reasons don¡¯t matter."


    Rowena¡¯s breath hitched. Her expression twisted between shock, frustration, and something dangerously close to fear.


    Kael¡¯s eyes glinted. "If you want to be court-martialed under the charge of mutiny¡­" His voice was deceptively soft, but each word sliced through the air with precision.


    Then, he smirked. "you¡¯re welcome to attack me now."


    The room was so silent one could hear the manager¡¯s heavy breath filled with nervousness.


    "You¡­" Rowena¡¯s fingers twitched, her jaw locked so tightly it looked like she was grinding her teeth.


    Her lover/subordinate, still standing a few paces away, swallowed hard. Then, without a word, she grabbed Rowena¡¯s sleeve and tugged lightly.


    Rowena snapped her head toward her. "What?"


    The woman gave her a meaningful look¡ªone filled with both urgency and warning. "Let¡¯s go."


    Rowena¡¯s face twisted into a deep glare. She clenched her fists so tight that her nails dug into her skin and bled.


    "You will pay for this, Moonstone."


    With a final low growl, she spun on her heel and stormed out of the restaurant. Her lover scurried after her, after placing the pouch filled with lots of gold coins on the nearby table, regarding the damages.


    The moment she was gone, Kael calmly tucked the badge away into his storage ring as if nothing had happened.


    Then, he turned to Seraphina with a smile. "Now then, shall we leave for our next destination, Dear?"


    Seraphina blinked.


    Then, slowly, she let out a breath¡ªone she hadn¡¯t even realized she was holding.


    Finally, she smiled back. "Yes. Let¡¯s go."


    After their meal, Kael and Seraphina stepped out into the bustling city streets, the hot sun burning everyone¡¯s heads, forcing many passersby to walk under an umbrella.


    Kael and Seraphina boarded their rented horse carriage. Due to security concerns, Amanda forced them to board such a carriage when they left in the morning. Kael also found it acceptable as he was going out to make a name as a merchant, not flaunting his noble heritage. That was how they evaded attention so far, or atleast while they were traveling all over the city.


    And now, their travel for the quest resumed. Their next stop: the vineyards.


    The mission seemed simple enough¡ªprocure the required wines for a noble¡¯s banquet.


    However, the real problem wasn¡¯t just finding the wines.


    It was that they weren¡¯t all in one place.


    Each vineyard specializes in different types of wine. Some were famed for their aged elixirs, others for their spirit-infused blends.


    So, even for a simple shopping task, they found themselves moving from one estate to another, personally verifying the quality of each bottle.


    Seraphina noted how Kael moved through the process with ease.


    He barely needed to ask for recommendations¡ªhe already knew exactly where to go.


    "You seem familiar with all of this." She gave him a curious glance.


    Kael chuckled, casually inspecting a bottle of deep crimson wine before handing it to a merchant.


    "Most of these are my favorites," he admitted, grinning. "So, I already knew where to find them."


    Seraphina raised an eyebrow. "And the rare vegetables? The exotic spirit beast meat?"


    Kael smirked. "I like those too."


    Seraphina blinked and thought. "It¡¯s rare for noblemen to know these things. Mostly, servants take care of them, or we send such quests to the guilds." Then, she let out a small, amused laugh, adding to her thoughts. "Kael continues to surprise me today."


    The sun had completely set by the time they finished their procurement.


    With the wines and rare ingredients secured, their quest was completed.


    Seraphina stretched her arms with a sigh, walking out of a butchery. "That took longer than expected."


    Kael nodded in agreement, glancing up at the now-dark sky.


    Then, his gaze shifted toward her. "Shall we head to the haunted mansion now?"


    Seraphina turned to him, lips turning into a playful smile. "At night? As if we have a choice."


    Kael smirked. "Exactly."


    "Anyway, let¡¯s return home for the dinner. Everyone would be worried if we were gone for too long. We can leave for the quest by late evening." Seraphina advised him, stepping inside the carriage.


    Rael thought for a bit and nodded. He ordered the coachwoman to go to Moonstone Manor.


    After a while;


    Kael and Seraphina sat at the dining table, the remnants of a luxurious and hearty dinner before them. Amanda hasn¡¯t arrived from work yet. Melissa was sitting with them but Laura seemed absent.


    Even though the tasks hadn¡¯t been physically taxing, Kael felt deep exhaustion settling into his bones. Traveling here and there, dealing with people, purchasing things, haggling around, everything was just so taxing on his head.


    Melissa sat across from him, wiping her mouth with a napkin, her eyes looking at him with concern.


    "You look tired, Dear," she observed softly. "Are you sure about this quest tonight? Why not postpone it to tomorrow?"


    Kael leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head before releasing a deep sigh. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s just a haunted mansion. It¡¯s not going to be much trouble."


    He looked at her reassuringly, though the thought of dark sorcery and malevolent spirits still lingered in his mind. But he wasn¡¯t about to let that stop him¡ªhe had other priorities now.


    As he stood up, preparing to leave, Laura entered the room at last. She looked like she had showered, her free-flowing wet hair still carried a nice fragrance. Her footsteps were light, but her pace was quite fast. Her demeanor gave the impression that she came down in a hurry.


    "Wait. I¡¯m going with you, Kael," she announced with a smile.


    Kael paused, looking at her with raised brows. "I appreciate the offer, but I don¡¯t think the ghost would like an audience."


    "What if it isn¡¯t a ghost?" Laura interrupted. "You need someone to protect you if it is an enemy." She frowned.


    Seraphina, who had been quietly observing the exchange, suddenly spoke up.


    "No need to worry. I¡¯m already going with him, Laura."


    Laura turned to her, confused. "Why?"


    Seraphina¡¯s tone turned more serious than usual as she replied. "Because my healing powers are poison to malevolent entities like ghosts. I can protect him more efficiently."


    Laura, clearly not one to back down, rolled her eyes. "Ghosts don¡¯t exist. You¡¯re being dramatic. And if it is not a ghost, your healing powers would be useless. You can¡¯t defeat an enemy on your own, sister."


    But Seraphina didn¡¯t back down either, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Just because I¡¯m a healer, doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t fight. I only prefer not to fight unless it is necessary, Laura. Even if it is not a ghost and an enemy that we couldn¡¯t defeat, I¡¯m confident that my healing powers would at least keep him unharmed. But, if it turns out to be a ghost, I¡¯m the best bet."


    Laura¡¯s expression hardened. "You can fight but you don¡¯t have experience as a fighter." She looked at him as if trying to make him see reason. "This is a dangerous mission, and I¡¯m the one who can be of better use." She shifted her gaze to her husband, "Kael, take me with you."

 Chapter 40: The haunted mansion

    Kael felt the weight of both their gazes, but the scent of danger had already passed. He knew he had to go, regardless of their arguments.


    "It¡¯s just a low-rank quest given to a Silver Tier merchant," he said firmly, his voice quiet but resolute. "It shouldn¡¯t be dangerous. Besides, I have Nyx with me. I think it is better if I just go alone for this. Whether it is a ghost or a trained fighter, I can easily lead them to a trap, using my low mana reserves, and take them out by using Nyx¡¯s help." He smiled at both of them with clear certainty in his eyes.


    The spectral wolf was tagging along with him exactly for this reason. It would become a perfect cover for his solo tasks.


    Laura reluctantly backed down. "Fine. But I want you to take a few knights with you. They will hide somewhere, around the house."


    Seraphina, her expression unreadable, finally nodded but not because she was satisfied with his answer. But it is because she was aware that Laura would never let her go alone with Kael, especially during such late nights. She knew her obsessive personality very well.


    She can agree with Laura tagging along with Kael, but when Kael expressed his opinion of leaving alone, she changed her mind, trusting his decision. Perhaps that trust was generated by a series of incidents that happened during the day.


    With that, Kael stood and made his way out of the house, his mind already drifting to the haunted mansion ahead.


    It wasn¡¯t long before Kael arrived at the location of the haunted mansion. The evening air had a chill to it, and the path leading toward the mansion was overgrown with wild, twisted plants.


    He paused as he came to a rundown house at the edge of the forest. The mansion loomed in the distance, the moon casting long shadows that seemed to stretch unnaturally across the yard.


    An old man appeared from the shadows with a lantern in his hand, his features twisted with age and worry. His gait was slow, each step a creak of bones. As Kael showed the Quest parchment, he nodded at Kael but didn¡¯t speak a word.


    Instead, the man led him to the gates of the mansion and gestured toward the looming structure.


    "It¡¯s all yours now," the old man finally opened his mouth, his voice a whisper. "If you find anything... well, just leave it alone."


    Kael didn¡¯t reply immediately. Instead, he took a moment to observe the mansion¡¯s exterior. Faint whispers seemed to fill the air, but there was no one around.


    He finally nodded at the old man, offering a slight bow in acknowledgment. "Thank you."


    Without further words, the old man turned and left, vanishing into the night in silent steps.


    As Kael stood alone before the mansion, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was watching him. He activated his senses to the peak, scanning any presence of life in the surroundings, but nothing was found, except for four royal knights who were hiding far away from the house, waiting for him to enter the house so that they could come closer and find a new hiding spot.


    Taking a steady breath, Kael pushed open the creaking gate of the haunted mansion, the rusted hinges groaning in protest.


    As the metal gate slowly swung open, a strange sensation settled over him¡ªa weight in the air, almost like the entire mansion was holding its breath.


    He stepped inside, feeling the cold breeze brush against his skin as the gate slammed shut behind him with a resounding thud. The door to the mansion followed suit, creaking on its hinges before snapping shut with a finality that made his pulse quicken.


    "Hmm¡­"


    He glanced around the eerie grounds of the mansion, noting the overgrown vines and the ivy that crawled up the stone walls like silent, watchful fingers.


    But there was no movement, no sound save for the whispers of the wind.


    "No one is hiding in the mansion unless they wiped out their trace."


    He had no doubt that whatever haunted this place was no longer here¡ªif it ever was. Kael was an assassin who operated in the dark, instilling fear in the hearts of criminals. The things around don¡¯t matter much to him.


    Moreover, he needs the time to be alone for his own mission.


    Once satisfied that there was no immediate danger, he reached into his storage ring and pulled out the cursed black cat statue. The smooth, almost obsidian-like surface gleamed faintly in the dim light, its form simple, yet its presence felt far heavier than its size suggested.


    Placing it carefully on the cold stone floor of the mansion¡¯s foyer, Kael activated his senses.


    "Here we go."


    He was prepared to use his knowledge of magic, of curses, to deal with whatever lay within this strange artifact. As his senses probed the statue, his vision blurred for a split second, and then¡ªthere they were again. Eyes.


    A malevolent presence stared back at him.


    Kael¡¯s heart raced for a moment, but he pushed through, focusing his energy on dispelling whatever dark magic was tied to the statue.


    "The Art of Purification."


    He began the technique he knew would break curses¡ªcareful, precise incantations combined with his innate magic.


    He started trying to purify the statue in order to erase the curse completely but instead, a violent backlash tore through him, a wave of force that nearly buckled his knees. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ack¡­


    He staggered backward, his hands clenching at his chest as pain shot through him like a jagged knife.


    Blood surged to his mouth, and with a gasp, he spat onto the cold stone floor.


    "Sh*t. The curse is too powerful than I thought."


    His vision blurred, and his knees buckled beneath him as the world faded to black.


    And then the voice of a woman heard in his head. "Help me¡­"


    When Kael awoke, it wasn¡¯t the quiet, oppressive darkness of the mansion he found himself in¡ªbut a new reality altogether.


    His surroundings had shifted. He was no longer on the stone floor but in what appeared to be an ancient chamber.


    The air was thick, almost suffocating, and there was an overwhelming sense of age in the stone walls surrounding him. It felt as though time itself had frozen in this place.


    His gaze immediately fell on a woman¡ªcat ears, a tail¡ªtied to a pillar in chains, her body bruised and battered. Her eyes, wide and desperate, locked onto his as she pleaded for help.


    "Please..." Her voice was weak, her breath ragged, but there was a pleading urgency to it that struck Kael deeply.


    He approached cautiously, noting her wounds and the brokenness in her voice. He reached for the binds, about to release her, when¡ª


    A shadow loomed from the corner.


    A figure, a dark apparition¡ªits shape a twisted reflection of the woman before him. It seemed to move unnaturally as if it were made from the very shadows themselves. Its eyes glowed with an eerie light, and Kael instinctively shifted into a defensive stance, his hand reaching for the magic that coursed within him.


    The shadow-clad figure lunged at him, its claws slashing with supernatural speed. Kael raised his arms, his hands blocking its claws. Its dark energy slowly enveloped him, pushing him to the ground.


    "Argh¡­"


    Kael persisted with brute force, pushing it back.

 Chapter 41: Kael and the Necromancer (1/5)

    Kael didn¡¯t know how much time had passed, but they were at a standstill for a long time, neither budging against the other. However, as time passed, he noticed that its dark energy was absorbing into his body and slowly raising his mana reserves instead of hurting him.


    The apparition grew weaker as his mana reserves rose steadily, and Kael no longer felt the pressure on his body. In fact, he gained the edge over the opponent, but he continued to act like he was struggling and greedily absorbed its energy until the apparition became a tiny wisp.


    The chained cat woman¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Despite her state, she no longer looked like she was suffering. She looked joyous.


    "Thank you for the meal, whatever you are." Kael stopped his acting in the end and flicked away the dark wisp.


    He then stepped toward her, intent on cutting her binds, but as his hands neared her¡ªshe smiled.


    "Well done, my master. Now, let us become one."


    It was a grin, wicked and malicious, and at that moment he heard those words, Kael realized that she wasn¡¯t a pitiful figure at all. There was indeed a reason for her imprisonment.


    Before he could react and get away, her arms shot up and she wrapped them around his neck, pulling him close. The chains around her were broken on their own. Her lips brushed against his neck, but before he could fully comprehend what was happening, there was a sharp bite.


    "F**k."


    A scream tore from his throat, but before it could echo through the chamber, the world blurred once more.


    When Kael opened his eyes again, he found himself in a new position, all naked. The cold stone slab beneath him felt like a prison, his limbs shackled, his chest tight with pain. "Argh¡­"


    "Wha¡­" Something else was wrong¡ªhis mana core¡­ was damaged, fractured. He could feel the faint hum of his organs, but they didn¡¯t feel right. His internal injuries were torn and bruised, mostly caused by the core explosion.


    His heart pulsed erratically in response to the damage, and as he strained against the chains that bound him, the sound of footsteps echoed in the distance.


    Is that cat woman behind this? He couldn¡¯t help but wonder.


    It was then a woman¡¯s voice broke through the silence, smooth but chilling.


    "Don¡¯t worry, handsome. I don¡¯t torture a specimen like you." The words were almost casual as if spoken in jest.


    Kael¡¯s breath caught. It was the old man¡ªthe one who had led him to the mansion.


    He tried to keep his composure, questioning his captor subtly, trying to stay calm despite the pain radiating from his body. "Who are you? Why are you doing this?"


    The old man slowly transformed into an attractive, middle-aged, busty woman. She chuckled softly. "A necromancer who was too bored with her life after living for centuries. A demigod who was looking for a breakthrough to the ascendant realm. An undying woman who wanted to explore every secret of this world. A woman who was searching for a man that could satisfy her. And a sorcerer looking for a disciple. Call me whatever you find it pleasant." The voice held a sense of dark amusement as if Kael¡¯s fate was nothing more than a passing distraction for this cruel sorcerer.


    Kael¡¯s frustration flared. He tried to move, to break free, but his body was too weak. The necromancer approached him, gazing at his body from top to bottom, her gazing more at his exposed private part. "Hmm¡­ that¡¯s interesting. When I shattered your mana core and turned you into a cripple, you should have been turned impotent, but I could see normal blood flow into your manhood."


    She reached out his manhood and started stroking it. Within seconds, as it seemed fully hardened, she chuckled, "Yeah, indeed, it looks as healthy as I thought. I wonder if you have two mana cores or something." She shifted her gaze to Kael¡¯s face as he was being violated by a six-hundred-year-old sorcerer. "Shall we test it? Whether it is a man or a woman, a demigod or a middling warrior, everyone¡¯s essence can be found out from their gen*tal fluids. Your nectar will tell your secret that I¡¯m curious to find out. And the fastest way to collect is¡­" Her hand stopped its movement and lowered down a bit and she opened her mouth, closing onto his manhood.


    Kael felt internal pain from the bruises caused to his organs by mana core damage, but the external bliss he was receiving from his supposed enemy felt more like torture as it was against his will. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had faced enough objectifying gazes all his life, and while he publicly depended on his sister and then his wives to protect his dignity, he was still confident in putting down any offender who could try to force herself onto him, all because he was deemed weak. But now, he had lost the cultivation he painstakingly trained in one incident and had his fate entirely dependent on the mercy of this sorcerer. His dignity is about to be lost and he couldn¡¯t even resist, his body chained to the stone slab.


    Regret filled Kael¡¯s mind. "I should have listened to Seraphina." "I should have listened to the shopkeeper¡¯s warning." "I shouldn¡¯t have taken that statue." "If only I hadn¡¯t overestimated my strength, I wouldn¡¯t have ended up in such a situation." "It¡¯s all that cat spirit¡¯s fault."


    While he was busy cursing the cat spirit in his head while trying his best to resist the necromancer, a voice, soft and familiar, suddenly echoed in his mind. "Do you want my help, master?"


    "Who is it?"


    Kael¡¯s eyes widened in realization. "It¡¯s you¡­"


    "Call my name, master. Call my name¡­"


    "Cleodora, come out." He screamed outwardly, followed by a curse. "Sh*t."


    A gush of fluid entered her mouth and Kael collapsed, his head hitting the slab stone as a black cat, sleek and glimmering in the darkness, materialized from the shadows.


    With a sudden leap, it sank its fangs toward the necromancer¡¯s throat.


    The necromancer moved swiftly to the back in surprise, unintentionally swallowing everything. "Dammit." She cursed loudly, gritting her teeth in anger. "You dare to destroy my experimental¡­ Hmm?" Her eyes widened, surprise returning to her face again. She chuckled. "Oh, I see¡­ no wonder. It¡¯s the primordial darkness. Your mana core wasn¡¯t exactly destroyed as I imagined." Her eyes fixated on Kael, her lips curling into a grin. "Never in the world did I expect the thing I captured to experiment to turn out to be someone possessing the same element as myself. Hahaha¡­" She burst into laughter, her voice becoming louder and louder. "How long has it been? Hundred years or hundred and a fifty?"


    *hisss*


    The black cat hissed, gaining her attention, and leaped at her in a blurring speed.


    The Necromancer shut her eyes for a moment and swung her hand. The black cat was swatted like a fly, crashing onto the wall as a result.


    The Necromancer looked at it. "I know what you are, kitty. ¡¯A Nemesis.¡¯ You think you might be strong, but you haven¡¯t recovered even a minute amount of your strength. Don¡¯t push your luck. I no longer have any interest in harming your master." She said, her voice was cold and her expression seemed like she wouldn¡¯t hesitate to kill it if the cat made a wrong move.


    As the black cat charged again but stopped at the slab stone, unsure whether to attack the enemy that tortured her master or believe her words, the Necromancer flicked her fingers toward Kael, who was facing concussion and experiencing a headache but still cleared her earlier words. A mass of dark energy flew toward him, freeing him from the chains instantly.

 Chapter 42: Kael and the Necromancer (2/5)

    "Ugh¡­"


    Kael groaned as the weight of the shackles lifted from his wrists.


    His limbs ached, and his mana core shattered, leaving a hollow emptiness within him where magic once flowed. He barely had the strength to push himself up into a seated position, but every inch of his body screamed in protest.


    Before him stood the Necromancer¡ªthe same woman who had violated his core, bound him, and nearly ended his life. Her silver eyes remained impassive as she stepped back, allowing him a moment to breathe.


    Kael¡¯s gaze flickered toward her warily, his mind racing. The hatred, the rage¡ªhe could feel it simmering beneath the surface. Yet, she simply folded her arms, watching him with detached amusement.


    "Sit now," she ordered. "We don¡¯t have time for your nonsense."


    Kael narrowed his eyes, his fists clenching weakly. "You expect me to believe you want to help me now?" His voice was hoarse, raw from pain and exhaustion.


    At his side, his little black cat bristled, fangs bared as it hissed at the woman. The creature¡¯s golden eyes gleamed with suspicion, mirroring Kael¡¯s own wariness.


    The Necromancer didn¡¯t react to the threat, her expression remaining blank. Instead, she merely tilted her head, exhaling through her nose. "Just get this into your head that right now, you are at my mercy, and I have no patience to convince you. So, whether you like it or not, you cooperate. Understand?"


    Kael felt his nails bite into his palm. His mind screamed not to trust her, yet¡­ he was weak. Too weak. If she truly wished to harm him further, she wouldn¡¯t need words¡ªshe could simply finish the job. "You¡­"


    She met his glare with a cold stare of her own. "Shut up and follow my instructions."


    There was no kindness in her tone, no warmth¡ªjust calculated efficiency.


    Kael swallowed his pride, his body betraying him as his exhaustion took hold. He had no choice. He nodded and forced himself to come down from the stone slab, crashing to the floor with a thud. He slowly sat down and crossed his legs.


    The Necromancer knelt down behind Kael. Without another word, she placed her palms against his chest. "Art of Reversis¡ªUnleash."


    Kael¡¯s body tensed, but before he could react, primordial darkness seeped from her fingertips, slipping into his body like threads of magic. It wasn¡¯t cold or painful¡ªif anything, it felt comfortable.


    He gasped, feeling the shattered fragments of his mana core¡ªa wound that should have left him crippled for life¡ªbegan stitching themselves together. The foreign yet familiar energy wove through him, repairing what had been lost, smoothing the damage flawlessly.


    Within mere moments, his core was whole again, as good as new. Perfect, as if it had never been damaged at all. The raw pain of his internal injuries vanished, his body feeling light, almost¡­ renewed.


    "Oh, my Goddess!"


    Kael sucked in a breath, his shock barely concealed. He clenched his fist, feeling the familiar pulse of mana rushing through him once more. This woman¡ªwho shattered him so easily¡ªhad restored him as she promised.


    But before he could fully grasp what had just happened, the tattoo on his arm flared to life.


    A fierce glow erupted from the inked lines, and in the next instant, the Spectral Wolf materialized at his side. Its ethereal fur bristled as it let out a deep, guttural growl, baring its fangs at the Necromancer.


    *Grrr*


    "Nyx," Kael tried to give an order but before that happened, the Necromancer looked at it.


    Just a glare. A single, cold glance.


    The mighty spectral wolf¡ªa soul-bound creature that had never bowed to anyone but him¡ªwhimpered. Its ears flattened. It took a step back, lowering its head like a scolded pup before vanishing into the shadows, retreating into Kael¡¯s soul without waiting for his orders, too. Due to their connection, Kael could also sense that it was afraid.


    Kael¡¯s heart skipped a beat.


    Not even demigods could force soul-bound beasts into submission.


    Yet she had done it¡­ effortlessly with a simple look. Something tells him that it wasn¡¯t some illusion technique or hypnosis. It was her aura that scared off the wolf.


    His breath caught in his throat, but as he processed the unnatural fear she had just instilled, his gaze flickered to the small black cat at his side.


    Unlike the wolf, the cat did not submit.


    Its golden eyes remained locked onto the Necromancer, its fur slightly raised, but it did not lower its head. It did not run.


    Kael exhaled slowly. "At least this mysterious little beast wasn¡¯t afraid of her. That¡¯s a positive thing." He thought.


    "Okay, I guess being naked is uncomfortable to you, lad." The Necromancer spoke, snapping her fingers.


    In the next moment, a swirl of shadowy mist materialized before him, twisting and coiling until it solidified into a neatly folded set of clothes. "Here we go." With an effortless flick of her wrist, she tossed it at him.


    Kael instinctively caught the bundle, his face flushing red in embarrassment. He turned on his heel, taking hurried steps toward the dimly lit corner to dress, but before he could make his escape, her smooth, teasing voice echoed behind him.


    "Oh, don¡¯t be shy now," she mused, her tone dripping with amusement. "I¡¯ve already seen everything, haven¡¯t I?"


    Kael froze. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His grip on the clothes tightened.


    She wasn¡¯t done. "I even know the location of every single mole on your body."


    Kael gritted his teeth and refused to look back. His ears burned as he hastily pulled the clothes over himself, blocking out the sound of her light chuckle.


    By the time he turned back around, a wooden chair had materialized, and she took her seat, the air of amusement fading into something more composed.


    "Now, sit." She pointed at the stone slab.


    Kael hesitated before sitting down across from her on the stone slab, his embarrassment still lingering, but curiosity now taking over.


    She regarded him for a moment, then spoke with a calm finality.


    "Lilith. Lilith Crown. That¡¯s who I am."


    "Crown?"


    Kael¡¯s breath caught in his throat. His eyes widened slightly at the name. "Is it¡­"


    She nodded, the barest hint of satisfaction in her gaze. "Yes. The same surname you¡¯re thinking of."


    Kael¡¯s thoughts raced.


    The House of Crown. The once-mighty empire that had ruled over two-thirds of the world for nearly a millennium. Said to be the mankind strongest Empire ever to exist in history, the dynasty that had stood unchallenged¡ªuntil the Great Tragedy six centuries ago that had brought it all to ruin.


    And she¡ªthis unfathomably powerful necromancer¡ªwas a princess of that very empire?


    Kael barely masked his shock as she continued, her voice carrying the weight of someone who had lived through centuries of history.


    "I was the Empress¡¯ sixth daughter." Her tone was even as if reciting a mere fact. "A favorite for the throne. Unchallenged by any of my sisters and cousins."


    Kael felt the tension in the air shift.


    She leaned forward slightly, a distant look in her eyes. "However, I had no interest in ruling. No patience for politics or the burdens of an empire. My passion was magic. My love was for the unknown. I wished to explore the world." Her voice softened just a fraction as if recalling something long buried beneath time itself.


    Kael swallowed, watching her carefully.


    This wasn¡¯t just a powerful demigod sitting before him.


    This was someone who had lived through a fallen age¡ªa ghost of an empire long lost.


    His earlier embarrassment was now entirely forgotten and questions filled his head.


    Her golden eyes, once filled with amusement, had dimmed into something distant. Not sorrow. Not anger. Just emptiness.


    "I left my home," Lilith continued, her voice calm but mixed with something almost¡­ unsteady. "I walked away from the throne, the power, the courtly games. I thought I found something better."


    Kael said nothing, only watching as she folded her hands in her lap, fingers clenching slightly.


    "I met a man," she murmured. "Someone who made me forget all of it¡ªthe duty, the empire, the ambitions of others. We settled down in a quiet countryside. No wars. No politics. No power struggles."


    For the first time, her lips curled into something that might have been a smile¡ªbefore it vanished just as quickly as it came.


    "Then the world ended."


    A cold shiver ran down Kael¡¯s spine.


    The Great Tragedy.


    The catastrophe that had reshaped the very foundations of history. The event that had wiped the Empire of Crown from the face of the world. The thing that caused millions of casualties, reducing the world¡¯s population back then from more than 170 million to less than 100 million over the course of just four mere years. It was a dark age indeed.


    "The Ancient Dragon Lord Ignis awoke," Lilith said, "and with his awakening, the world burned."


    She spoke of it with the clarity of someone who had witnessed it firsthand. She couldn¡¯t help but shut her eyes, remembering the chaos.

 Chapter 43: Kael and the Necromancer (3/5)

    Dragons ravaged the skies.


    After four years, the dragons were defeated and the Dragonlord was sealed once again but the Empire was broken into pieces.


    Rebellions tore apart kingdoms.


    Rogue generals waged war against their own rulers.


    Civilizations crumbled overnight, their rulers slain, their lands swallowed by flames and blood.


    The Empire of Crown did not stand a chance of reviving at all. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael exhaled slowly. He had read about the Great Tragedy, but history books never carried the weight of a survivor¡¯s words.


    And Lilith Crown was not just a survivor. She had lived through the end of an era.


    Kael expected her to stop there, but she didn¡¯t.


    She continued, her voice steady¡ªtoo steady.


    "I lost him in that war."


    Kael knew exactly who she meant.


    "The man I gave up everything for. The life I chose over the throne. He was taken from me in that chaos. He was a hero who saved a village from the onslaught of wild beasts."


    A silence stretched between them, deep and suffocating.


    Then¡ª


    "I refused to accept it." Something dark flickered in her golden eyes. She continued. "I turned to magic. To the dead. I searched for answers that did not exist."


    Her tone was almost¡­ emotionless now.


    "I tried to bring him back."


    Kael¡¯s breath caught in his throat when he heard those words. "Necromancy, isn¡¯t it?"


    Lilith looked at him and nodded.


    He thought. "It is said that Necromancy didn¡¯t exist until five centuries ago. If she has already become a necromancer back then, she would have likely been the progenitor¡­ No wonder she could live for so many centuries¡­"


    She then spoke as if it were inevitable as if the road she had walked could have led nowhere else. "And in the process," Lilith continued, "I learned how to command the dead."


    She lifted her hand slightly, and dark mist coiled around her fingertips. "I could move them. Will them to rise. I could bring back bones and corpses, making them obey. Over the years, I made an army of dead, enough to topple down an entire kingdom at my will."


    Kael felt his body tense.


    Lilith¡¯s expression did not change. "That was how I became the first Necromancer the world had ever seen."


    Her fingers curled, and the mist dissipated, a sigh escaping from her lips.


    "But it wasn¡¯t enough."


    Her voice lowered to something almost a whisper. "Because no matter how much I raised the dead¡­ I could never bring him back."


    Kael sat in stunned silence.


    For thirty years, she had searched, experimented, and sacrificed¡ªonly to realize, in the end, that her pursuit was no longer about her husband.


    Lilith¡¯s golden eyes gleamed with something unreadable. Not regret. Not sorrow. Just¡­ understanding.


    "When I finally succeeded," she murmured, "it was¡­"


    Kael swallowed, interrupting her. "You brought him back for real?" He was quite surprised to hear this as he never heard of true resurrection.


    "No." She let out a quiet chuckle, subtly shaking her head. "I created¡­ something else in the process. A being that carried his memories. That moved as he once did. That spoke with his voice. But it was not him."


    Her voice was steady, but Kael could sense the weight of centuries behind her words.


    "What I revived was a perfect imitation. A replica of a man who had long since passed."


    Kael felt a chill crawl up his spine.


    That was the truth of necromancy, wasn¡¯t it?


    It could raise the dead, could command their bodies, but it could never bring back a soul.


    "The thing I created¡­ was a lich."


    She said it so simply, so casually, that Kael nearly flinched before furrowing his brows, "Lich?"


    A lich is an undying being, capable of unleashing magic on its own. A lich can raise undead on its own. It has its own will. It can even talk. But, aren¡¯t liches just shrouded in dark energies? They don¡¯t have any human forms.


    Perhaps, the earlier liches used to retain their human appearances? He couldn¡¯t help but wonder.


    "What did you do to him?" Kael then asked hesitantly.


    Lilith let out a deep sigh. "I destroyed him."


    Kael blinked. "What? Why?"


    Her lips turned into a small, knowing smile. "I realized I no longer cared."


    There was no pain in her voice, no sorrow.


    "It had been too long. The love I once held had faded. My obsession with reviving him¡­ I realized that it was never truly about him."


    She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her palm.


    "It was about the pursuit of Resurrection magic itself. The thrill of discovery. The challenge of doing the impossible."


    For three decades, she had chased the impossible. And when she finally grasped it, she found that her heart no longer ached for what was lost. "Was it hard for you to let him go like that?" He couldn¡¯t help but ask her.


    "Yeah, it was." Lilith nodded. "But, in the end, he wasn¡¯t real. There¡¯s no point in enjoying a false reality."


    Kael couldn¡¯t tell if he found that tragic or terrifying.


    She had sacrificed everything for her pursuit, and in the end, she had let go without a second thought.


    What kind of person did that make her?


    Lilith tilted her head, watching him. "Are you afraid?"


    Kael met her gaze. If he said he wasn¡¯t afraid of her at all, it would be a lie. Not because she did those things to him earlier as he wasn¡¯t conscious to fight her. But it was because of the ease with which she not only mended his mana core but made sure his original soul realm was still intact. It would usually take a demigod, a bunch of priests, and an hour of grand ritual in the church to do the task.


    This woman had seen the world fall. She had defied death itself. She had created the first lich. And yet¡ªshe sat before him, amused, curious, and entirely at ease.


    Kael handled his emotions and calmly shook his head. "No. Just wondering what kind of lunatic I¡¯m dealing with."


    Lilith chuckled. "The best kind, of course."


    Kael listened intently as Lilith continued her story.


    "The truth is," she said, her golden eyes flickering with something akin to frustration, "humans were never meant to live as long as the elves, dragons, or magic beasts. Our bodies simply aren¡¯t made for it."


    Kael nodded slowly. It was common knowledge that even the strongest human mages, warriors, or demigods could only extend their lifespan to about three centuries¡ªand that included using elixirs till the end of their life.


    Lilith leaned back, crossing her arms. "Early human mages understood this limitation too. So, they tried¡­ other methods. Some sought immortality through magic. Others believed divine ascension was the answer. And then¡­" she paused, her expression turning unreadable, "there were those who thought the solution lay in our very blood."


    Kael frowned. "What do you mean?"


    "Interbreeding," Lilith said simply. "Humans began mixing their bloodlines with elves, dragons, and other long-lived species, believing it would grant them the same longevity."


    Kael grimaced. "And it didn¡¯t work."


    Lilith shook her head. "No. Half-elves, half-dragons, even celestial-blooded children¡­ None of them could escape the human lifespan limit. No matter their ancestry, they still died when their human blood dictated."


    Kael frowned. "Then how did you manage to live for six centuries?"


    Lilith hesitated, then exhaled. "There are legends," she murmured, "of an island. A place hidden from the world, where humans live as long as dragons."


    Kael stiffened. "Atlas. I read of it."


    Lilith nodded. "Yeah, The Island of Atlas."


    It was a myth¡ªa story told in ancient texts, whispered in forgotten ruins. A land where humans had somehow broken free of their mortal constraints and achieved true longevity.


    Some claimed it was blessed by the gods. Others believed its people had discovered a secret beyond magic itself.


    But no one had ever found it and for millennia, everyone believed that it is located at the edge of the world until some travelers managed to discover that there is no such thing as the edge of the world.


    "You found it?" Kael asked.


    Lilith turned to face him, her golden eyes gleaming in the dim light. Yeah, I did."


    Kael listened intently as Lilith recounted her discovery.


    "The Well of Aetheris¡­" he murmured. "A divine gift capable of granting eternal life."


    Lilith nodded, her expression distant, as if reliving memories from centuries ago.


    "The island was abandoned, its people long gone. But their knowledge remained¡ªinscribed in ancient ruins, hidden within relics, waiting for someone worthy to decipher it."


    She clasped her hands behind her back, gazing into the darkness. "I spent years unraveling their secrets, trying to understand how people extended their lives. And in the end, I found the well."


    "But if the legend was true, then, how did those people perish in the first place?" Kael questioned.


    Lilith¡¯s lips curled into a smirk, but there was no amusement in her eyes. "The Waters of immortality wouldn¡¯t exactly make one immortal, but they merely extend one¡¯s lifespan anywhere from 100 to 1000 years and, of course, give eternal youth. I only received roughly 400 additional years of lifespan. And currently, my age is around 647."


    Kael narrowed his eyes, his mind still processing everything she had told him. "So, you will only live for another three years?"


    Lilith shook her head calmly. "Not exactly. I created the forbidden spell of Life Drain, through which I can just continue to drain life span from the dead bodies that didn¡¯t have a natural death and absorb it for myself. At the moment I have¡ª" She took a brief pause, her crimson lips curling. "Ten thousand more years I guess?"


    "Ten thousand?" Kael gasped.

 Chapter 44: Kael and the Necromancer (4/5)

    Lilith leaned forward, her golden eyes gleaming. "And if you become my disciple, you can live that long, too. After all, you were also a possessor of the primordial darkness, just like me."


    Kael exhaled sharply. "And if I refuse?"


    Lilith smirked. "Then you walk out of here, good as new. No strings attached. But, Kael¡­" She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You don¡¯t have any valid reason to refuse my offer. Do you?"


    Kael clenched his fists. The power she spoke of¡ªit was tempting. Too tempting.


    But then something popped up in his head. "Earlier, you trapped me. If I didn¡¯t have this primordial darkness, I would have been dead by now. So, my question is how many have you killed so far?" He asked, a frown creeping up to his face.


    Lilith¡¯s gaze never wavered as she met Kael¡¯s questioning eyes, the flicker of amusement still present in her expression. "How many?" She repeated, the question seeming to amuse her. "If you ask me whether I have killed people using this trap and experimented on, the answer is nil."


    "Nil?" Kael¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief as he absorbed Lilith¡¯s words. "You¡­ you¡¯re telling me that all of those people you¡¯ve trapped and experimented on¡­ you just let them go?" His voice was filled with doubt, disbelief still etched across his face. "After everything you¡¯ve done to them, you just let them walk away?"


    Lilith nodded slowly, the calmness in her demeanor never faltering. "I don¡¯t kill people, lad. Their minds are wiped clean of their experiences. I don¡¯t need their death to prove my research. As for those who retain a shred of memory, they live their lives haunted by nightmares they can¡¯t explain. Well, I can¡¯t do anything about that side effect. Anyway, what matters is that I haven¡¯t killed a single one." She paused, her golden eyes locking onto Kael¡¯s. "Actually, it would have been the same for you if you hadn¡¯t possessed the primordial darkness, although I wouldn¡¯t have used Riversis on you and returned your cultivation. After all, you took the quest and accepted possible consequences. You would have turned into a cripple and wake up with no memories by sunrise."


    Kael¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. "Then why do it in the first place? Why all the traps, the deception? Why pretend to be some helpless old man needing help? For a demigod like you, abducting someone is a piece of cake."


    Lilith tilted her head slightly as though considering his question for the first time. "You might call it a trap, but to me, it¡¯s an invitation, which they accept. Most importantly, posting the quest in a merchant guild invites greedy individuals who want to make money and become richer instead of protecting humanity by hunting down the beasts. Such people deserved it. I don¡¯t have any pity for those types of people."


    Kael remained silent, the weight of her words heavy in the air between them. After all, he was one of those individuals, too, except that he was secretly an assassin and has been contributing to society in his own way.


    He ran a hand through his hair, still processing everything she had said. It didn¡¯t seem possible. "You¡¯re telling me that you¡¯ve been doing this for centuries, experimenting on people, and you¡¯ve never killed anyone? Not even once?"


    Lilith¡¯s expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes that Kael couldn¡¯t quite decipher. "I didn¡¯t say I have never killed in experiments. I said I haven¡¯t killed anyone in this way. You know, posting quests about a haunted house, inviting merchants or low-level adventurers to spend there for a night and then experiment on them." She paused, her gaze hardening slightly. "But, you know, humans are basically the worst kind of predators. If they see a weakling who can¡¯t do anything to them, they go on using them for their own gains, harassing them for their own happiness, hurting them, and even killing them, whether it is a different species or their own. I don¡¯t have mercy for such people. And when such person goes out of their way to offend me, they invite suffering and eventually plead for their death. If I had to count them, the numbers would roughly amount to 7 or maybe 8 thousand."


    Kael¡¯s mind raced as he processed the sheer scale of Lilith¡¯s actions. "Seven thousand... or eight thousand?" His voice was almost a whisper, the weight of the number sinking in. "You¡¯ve experimented on that many people?"


    Lilith nodded, unfazed. "Yes, that¡¯s about right. But, I lived for six centuries, mind you. So, that¡¯s only like 12 people for every year. It¡¯s not that many if you think about it."


    Kael¡¯s thoughts were jumbled, unable to make sense of the revelation. "What were you researching? What did you need all those people for?"


    Lilith gave a nonchalant shrug, as if discussing the matter was as simple as picking herbs for tea. "Sometimes, it¡¯s about souls. Other times, it¡¯s about mana cores, seeing how they react under stress or how to manipulate them. Then there¡¯s human anatomy. The internal workings, and how they change when subjected to different forms of magic. Sometimes, I study dreams¡ªhow to plant them, alter them, manipulate them." Her eyes glinted with a strange mixture of fascination and boredom. "I¡¯ve even experimented with false memories, placing seals in their heads to control them telepathically whenever I feel like it. It¡¯s all part of understanding how the human mind works, and how it interacts with magic. Sometimes it¡¯s necessary, sometimes it¡¯s just for the sake of boredom."


    Kael¡¯s jaw clenched. "Boredom?" He couldn¡¯t fathom that someone could casually speak about experimenting on thousands of lives because they were bored. "That¡¯s what all of this is to you? You¡¯ve caused this much suffering just because you were bored?"


    Lilith¡¯s expression softened as though she were explaining something simple to a child. "I told you. I¡¯m immortal. I¡¯ve seen it all, done it all. After centuries of life, there¡¯s nothing left that excites me. At least, not without some kind of challenge." She paused, looking at Kael with a hint of curiosity. "But you, Kael... you¡¯re different. I think you could be something interesting. You could make it all worth it. Teach you everything I know. It¡¯ll keep me busy for a few decades, at the very least. After that, you would be qualified enough to help me in reaching the transcendent realm."


    Kael¡¯s anger simmered beneath his calm facade as he realized she indeed wanted to raise a partner for her research, but he kept it under control. "And you think I would just... agree to this? Become your disciple? Learn from someone like you?" His voice was low, but there was a hardness to it. "What makes you think I would even want to?"


    Lilith seemed to consider his question for a moment before answering. "Because you want more, Kael. You¡¯re not like the others. You¡¯re not just after power for power¡¯s sake. You want something beyond that, something that most humans could never understand. I can give you that. What else do you have? You¡¯ll die in the blink of an eye compared to me."


    Kael¡¯s eyes narrowed. He didn¡¯t want to admit it, but there was truth in her words. "And what do you get out of this?"


    Lilith¡¯s smile was tinged with something dark, something almost mournful. "I told you. Immortality is not a gift, Kael. It¡¯s a curse. Not because I¡¯ll watch my loved ones die or grow old, but because I¡¯ll watch everything else decay, wither, and die around me without any proper progress. I¡¯ve seen it happen so many times, I¡¯ve lost count. And all I have left is time."


    She leaned forward slightly, her voice quiet yet piercing. "But if I become a transcendent if I reach that next step... I¡¯ll have a chance to create my own world. One where I can shape everything to my will. One where I can make something that will hold my interest for eternity. That¡¯s my ultimate goal at the moment."


    Kael stood silently, his eyes searching Lilith¡¯s face for any hint of sincerity or deception. He was no stranger to power-hungry individuals, but something in her words resonated with him. Was she simply a monster in disguise, or was she, in some twisted way, telling the truth? The most pressing issue here is that he wasn¡¯t sure whether he truly possessed the primordial darkness as this Necromancer revealed it to him. This entire long conversation is built on that simple fact.


    He shook his head, trying to dispel the thoughts swirling in his mind. "I don¡¯t know, Lilith. You¡¯ve told me a lot of things, but I¡¯m still not sure about trusting you."


    Lilith leaned back, her smile returning, though it lacked any warmth. "Trust is built over time, over experiences, Kael. If you just trust me based on my words, you would be a fool. Just consider this as an equal exchange and see how it goes. And the offer is always there. I¡¯m not going anywhere. I would live even after your death. But I want you to remember that you won¡¯t find anyone else who can teach you what I know."


    Kael¡¯s heart pounded as he considered her words. Could he trust her? Should he? For one thing, she knows that he is not a weakling merchant as the world thinks so, although she doesn¡¯t know his other identity yet. She only knows his first name. But that will change once he becomes her disciple.


    After pondering for a while, Kael¡¯s eyes widened as something popped up in his head. His consciousness reached out to the storage ring, taking out a parchment. "Here." sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 45: Kael and the Necromancer (5/5)

    Lilith takes the parchment from Kael with a curious expression, her fingers brushing the edge of the paper before she examines the sketch closely.


    The woman drawn on the parchment is unfamiliar to her, but there¡¯s something about the way she¡¯s drawn¡ªsomething that seems oddly familiar, even though Lilith can¡¯t place why. Her brow furrows slightly, and she looks up at Kael, who stands before her with a serious expression, waiting for her reaction.


    "What is this?" Lilith asks, her tone neutral but tinged with intrigue. "Who is she? Why do you want her?"


    Kael stands still, his eyes unwavering as he speaks. "She¡¯s someone important to me. I need to find her." His voice is resolute, his previous hesitations now replaced with a focused determination. "I¡¯ve been searching for her for a long time."


    Lilith studied him carefully, her sharp gaze never leaving his face. The tension in the room thickened as she processed his words, but her expression remained unreadable. After a long pause, she nods slowly, acknowledging his request.


    "I see," she says, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. "So, this is your first condition. You want me to help you find her." She leans back slightly, folding her arms, her eyes glinting with amusement.


    Kael meets her gaze, unfazed by her words. "You want me to become your disciple, to learn your magic, and gain your knowledge. I¡¯m willing to do that, but you¡¯ll have to help me first. This is my price, and this will give me the belief that you would care about my interests in the future too."


    Lilith doesn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, she remains silent, her expression unreadable as she looks between Kael and the parchment in her hand. Her eyes flicker briefly toward the black cat beside her, the only living thing in the room that seems to be unaffected by her aura.


    After what felt like an eternity, Lilith let out a sigh and leaned forward, folding the parchment with deliberate slowness. "Fine," she says, her tone steady but tinged with a sense of finality. "You want her? I¡¯ll help you find her."


    Kael¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but he didn¡¯t show it. He remained as calm as ever, his eyes never leaving hers.


    "But," Lilith continued, her voice sharpening, "You must meet my conditions as well. You can¡¯t just take and take without giving something in return, Kael."


    Kael nods slightly, accepting her terms without hesitation. "What do you want from me?"


    Lilith¡¯s smile widened, though it was not one of kindness. It¡¯s more a look of someone who enjoys the power they hold over another. "When I bring this person to you, you will become my disciple right away regardless of your commitment. And when you become my disciple, I want your complete obedience. I want you to accept that my teachings are not optional, Kael. You¡¯ll learn whatever I teach you. Whether you use it or not is up to you. But learning is mandatory. You will become my disciple in every sense of the word."


    Kael didn¡¯t expect her to pamper him or anything. If he becomes someone¡¯s disciple, he expects to learn whatever they are teaching anyway. "Fine," he replied without having any second thoughts, his voice resolute. "I hope you will find the person as quickly as possible."


    Lilith gives him a knowing look, one that seems to weigh him with both interest and amusement. "You don¡¯t have to worry about that. As long as she is still alive, I¡¯ll bring her to you."


    She then stood up, her tall frame casting a shadow over him as she moved toward a nearby shelf filled with scrolls, flasks, and various tools, among other things. She picked up a brocade box adorned with jewels on the top.


    "Now," she said, her voice cool and calculated, "I have something, a present to give you." She took out a black dagger from the box and slowly walked toward him.


    Kael snatched away the dagger from Lilith as a reflex, his fingers brushing against the cool metal. He looked at it with a mix of suspicion and surprise. "This is my dagger." His voice is calm, but there¡¯s a sharp edge to it. "You¡­ explored my storage ring when I was unconscious?"


    Lilith simply raised an eyebrow, unbothered by his reaction. "I didn¡¯t take anything from you, Kael. I just had a little look around. You know, you captured someone and they have a storage ring. You obviously want to explore their storage ring. The dagger was an interesting piece, I must say. So I decided to examine it more closely." She paused, her eyes flickering to his before continuing. "I wouldn¡¯t be so upset about that if I were you. I could¡¯ve taken far worse. There were even more precious pieces of equipment in your storage ring. Anyway, take a closer look at the dagger. Notice anything different?"


    Kael clenched his jaw but didn¡¯t say anything.


    He inspected the dagger in his hand, feeling the faint pulse of energy from the spirit of Ifrit. It feels different now¡ªlighter somehow, and yet still powerful. You released the seal and removed its corruptness but sealed it again?" Kael asked, looking up at her.


    Lilith nodded, her expression continuing to stay calm as usual. "Well, I figured out that while it contained a spirit, this dagger is still way inferior to your other twin daggers. You might not want to use it anyway. So, I sealed it again."


    "You think my twin daggers are superior?" Kael questioned her in surprise. While he wouldn¡¯t abandon them for this dagger, because of the fact that they were ancestral property and the last present he received from his parents, he still doesn¡¯t agree that a weapon with a spirit is inferior to his dual daggers that don¡¯t have a spirit, despite their superior materials.


    Lilith explained, her expression serious now. "Yes, the twin daggers are forged from an Adanamtium and Elerium alloy. It is obvious that they¡¯re sharper and more durable than Ifrit¡¯s blade. But what¡¯s special about them is that those two daggers can amplify the user¡¯s strength to entirely another realm, which Ifrit isn¡¯t capable of. However, they were missing the other part of the set. Once you find that set, you can release their full extent of power."


    "Uhh¡­ what?" Kael was taken aback by her words, and the shock was evident on his face. He had always known the twin daggers were special¡ªhe¡¯d fought with them for years, but hearing that they could amplify his strength was news to him. As for the so-called other part of the set, he was aware of what it was.


    **


    As the sun¡¯s rays bathed the mansion in a soft golden light, Kael was seen on the floor in quiet meditation, his breath steady and calm.


    When the rays hit his face through the windows, he opened his eyes and stood, stretching his limbs as the weight of the world seemed a little lighter with the dawn. "Ok, it¡¯s time to leave."


    As he exited the mansion, his footsteps light, and a group of royal knights¡ªhidden in the bushes¡ªcould finally relax. They had been watching him all night, worried about what might happen, especially with the haunted mansion¡¯s sinister reputation.


    "He¡¯s finally coming out," one of the knights muttered in relief, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. "Never expected one night to be this long." S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Another knight sighed, shaking his head. "I don¡¯t understand why Lord Moonstone would have to spend his time alone in that mansion when his task was supposed to sell it to someone else. Moreover, it would have been a lot better if we just accompanied him into the mansion instead of suffering here like this, all night."


    "But you heard the order," the captain reminded them, his voice low but firm. "We¡¯re not here to interfere. We were sent to watch over him from a distance. Her Highness (Amanda) gave us clear instructions to stay back."


    "But he¡¯s so... weak. Even a chicken could kill him," another knight commented. "And he¡¯s married to five princesses. What if something goes wrong? Do you think they wouldn¡¯t flay us alive?"


    "Well, Her Highness¡¯ orders were strict," the captain said firmly, his eyes never leaving the distant figure of Kael. "Our job is to make sure to keep an eye on the surroundings, not the mansion. And if something happens, I would have taken the responsibility."


    "Sigh¡­ these nobles always make us worry," a knight¡¯s shoulders drooped in mental exhaustion.


    The knights then watched Kael exiting the gates of the mansion, his movements unhurried and peaceful. To them, he seemed like a man untouched by the dangers lurking inside the mansion. They exchanged uncertain glances, but no one dared to break the captain¡¯s orders.


    Kael, in his quiet confidence, didn¡¯t pay them any mind as he strolled all the way home as a morning walk, thinking about the day¡¯s possibilities.


    "Kael!"


    He was greeted almost immediately by Laura as he approached the entrance. Her eyes were wide with worry, the red in her gaze betraying her sleeplessness.


    Without a word, she rushed to him, throwing her arms around his neck in a tight hug. "I was so worried," she murmured, her voice tinged with both relief and exhaustion. "I couldn¡¯t sleep all night."


    Kael chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around her in return. "I¡¯m fine, my love. There was nothing to worry about."


    "Still..." Her voice wavered slightly, but she smiled, pulling back to look at him, her gaze soft and filled with concern. "I couldn¡¯t sleep. I was just waiting for you to come back." She sniffled slightly, her eyes still looking red, and her worry was clear, but it faded when she saw him standing there, unharmed.


    He smiled down at her, his own worries disappearing with the warmth of her embrace. "I¡¯m here now," he said gently, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "You don¡¯t have to worry."


    Laura beamed up at him, her eyes lighting up as she took his hand. "Well, now that you¡¯re back, what are we doing? I¡¯ve been dying to spend some time with you. Are you going to the guild today?"

 Chapter 46: Kael and Amanda’s intimate bathtime (1/2)[Warning: sensual content]

    Because of the ease she felt upon seeing him, Laura didn¡¯t even consider that Kael might need some rest after spending time there in the haunted mansion, and Kael played along with her wishes, too. "Yes," He nodded. "We can stop by the guild to finish up some things, and then... how about a lunch date after?"


    Laura giggled in excitement, her worries forgotten for the moment. She jumped into his arms with a playful squeal, wrapping her arms tightly around him as she kissed his cheek. "Yes! That sounds perfect!"


    Kael laughed, the tension from the night¡¯s quest easing away as he held her. As he looked down at her, feeling the warmth of her happiness, he couldn¡¯t help but be grateful for the simple moments like this¡ªmoments where the world outside faded away, and it was just the two of them.


    As soon as he returned to his room, Kael stepped into the shower, letting the warm water pour over him. Just as he began to relax, he sensed a familiar aura approaching the room. A soft shift in the air alerted him to the presence, but he didn¡¯t react right away, preferring to wait. He kept his attention on the showerhead as the curtain gently parted and a face peeks in.


    It was Amanda.


    She surveyed him with a mischievous grin, her eyes scanning him unapologetically from head to toe. "You know," she begins, her voice low and teasing, "I¡¯ve seen you like this before. There¡¯s no need to shy away from me." Kael¡¯s face flushed, but he tried to stay composed.


    "I think it¡¯s better if you just... leave," he said, his tone trying to sound casual but still betraying a hint of surprise. Amanda¡¯s smile widened further with an almost playful gleam in her eyes. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Without a word, she starts to slowly start undressing, her movements deliberate, and Kael¡¯s eyes widen. "What... What are you doing?"


    She tilted her head slightly, her smile softening into something more intimate. "I was thinking... we could share the shower. I read in a novel that it helps couples grow closer, that it builds... intimacy." Her voice lingers on the word, as her gaze meets his with a mixture of curiosity and something deeper.


    Kael hesitated for a moment, caught between the desire for peace and the undeniable pull of her presence. "We... we really shouldn¡¯t," he started, but the warmth of the moment and the closeness between them made it hard to keep his thoughts straight.


    Kael then glanced back at Amanda, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I think we already have high intimacy as it is," he says softly, the warmth of the moment filling the air between them. "No need for extra effort."


    Amanda didn¡¯t miss a beat. Her smile remains playful as she continues undressing, slipping out of her remaining undergarments. Kael had seen her naked a lot of times and yet, his body still heated up as his eyes captured her busty, curvy body. His eyes feasted on her bosom, and couldn¡¯t avert his gaze at all. His manhood straightened up like a tower.


    "Oh my, that was a quicker reaction than I thought. But, I guess it is to be expected since you always loved my body." Letting out a chuckle, she stepped into the bathroom with fluid grace, her movements both confident and enticing.


    She took the bar of soap from Kael¡¯s hands and moved behind him, gently applying it to his back. Her fingers trace the soap across his skin, the subtle pressure of her hands against his back sending a shiver through him.


    She then leaned in, her voice soft, but with a curiosity in it. "Say, Kael. I¡¯ve always wondered why you never use the bathhouse, why you never let your maids assist in your bathing or dressing you. I mean all nobles do, right? It¡¯s always been just you alone."


    Kael breathes in slowly, steadying himself. "I used to," he replied, his tone becoming distant all of a sudden. "But when I was fourteen, I was attacked by an assassin posing as a maid." He paused, the memory still sharp. "It was supposed to be someone sent by a noblewoman who had a grudge against my sister. Since then, my sister made a rule about self-bathing and started closely monitoring the servants. She made sure no one came near me without being thoroughly checked. She wouldn¡¯t let me eat food even after the servants tasted them. As a final check, she would taste it first, and only then would the food be served to me. After sunset, she banned me from going outside. Even during the daytime, I can¡¯t go outside by myself. An escort was necessary. We would also sleep on the same bed every night, and when she was away on her adventuring duties, she would send a babysitter to look after my needs."


    Amanda, sensing the change in his mood, adjusted her grip and pressed her body closer to his. Her touch is reassuring.


    "Moonstone House couldn¡¯t employ knights as we no longer carried the title of nobility, so she had to hide guards. The tests became more stringent, and she offered high salaries to get trustworthy ones." Kael¡¯s voice became softer, almost nostalgic. "Back then, I thought she was just earning well. You know, she was an adamantine tier warrior. But I didn¡¯t realize she was taking on loans from the royal bank, working herself to the bone just to pay the interest."


    Amanda¡¯s arms encircled him, her bosom pressing against his lower back, which somehow pulled him back from the heavy memory. "I¡¯m sorry," she murmured, regret in her voice. She changed the subject, wanting to lift the weight of the past. "Forget that for now," she whispered, her voice light and playful. "Tell me what happened at the haunted mansion, last night. Was it a third party trying to trouble your client, or did you really meet a ghost?"


    "Well¡­ not exactly either," Kael briefed her on the story, he made up of course. "It was the client. Apparently, he created the whole haunted mansion story in order to not give up on the sale. His children wanted to sell it off for money and he doesn¡¯t want to sell it because of the memories he held."


    "Oh¡­ that was unfortunate. You must be very disappointed," Amanda commented. Her husband stayed all night at that haunted mansion, only to turn out to be false. That means in her view, he had plenty of rest.


    She was aware of his secret identity, and so she didn¡¯t think he would have faced any problem. But Laura was worried and in order to ease her up, the knights were sent but were strictly ordered to stay outside and do nothing but keep an eye on their surroundings.


    But Kael wasn¡¯t aware that she knew about him. So, she could only put up a false act.


    And then, as if she was trying to change his mood, Amanda¡¯s hand, which was gently resting on his chest, slowly traveled down his torso. "Let me make you feel better then." Amanda¡¯s seductive voice, low and warm, seemed to brush against his ear like a caress. "Come, let go of those disappointments and enjoy the present." Her hands reached his hardened manhood and she started stroking it gently, up and down.

 Chapter 47: Kael and Amanda’s intimate bathtime (2/2)[Warning:sensual content]

    "I¡¯m not in the mood, Amanda," Kael said, his voice soft yet firm, as he tried to maintain control of the situation.


    But she was relentless, her bosom juggled left and right, and the peaks on her bosom brushed against his skin before she leaned her head to his ear once again, slightly tip-toeing on her feet to reach the height. "You say that every time," she whispered, her lips brushing lightly against his ear. "But your body always wants me."


    A gentle laugh escaped her lips as if she had known all along how to get under his skin, in the most delicate of ways. The touch of her fingers against his side, the press of her chest against his back¡ªit was impossible to ignore, and Kael found himself drawn in despite his initial resistance.


    To strike the iron hot, she teased him further, her voice dripping with affection. "You haven¡¯t exactly given me much attention since we got back, spending your time with Laura the most. You even slept with Melissa and left me longing for you for 4 days." She leaned in closer, her words like a soft melody, "If you can¡¯t afford to spend much time with me, you should atleast satisfy my cravings, right? Just this morning, Mother asked me about giving her a grandchild, complaining how Laura was disobeying her."


    He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts, but his heart was already racing. He couldn¡¯t deny the way her words and touch made him feel¡ªa magnetic pull he couldn¡¯t resist. Still, he held on to the last thread of his willpower.


    "It wasn¡¯t Laura, Amanda. I¡¯m the one that doesn¡¯t want to start the family," he replied softly, his voice filled with a mixture of affection and resolve. "Atleast, not yet. There are so many things to do. First, I need to build up my career. Then, I need to find my sister. Or atleast find out whether she is still alive or not. I can¡¯t put away everything else but these two. If I start a family right now, I will be distracted. I don¡¯t want to be those fathers who just threw away the responsibility of their children¡¯s upbringing on their mothers or servants and mind their own business. I want to be there for my child and his mother. My career is on the right track. All I need is just a bit more time."


    Amanda, taken aback by his explanation and the sincerity in his words, nodded and backed away. Her expression softened, though there was a glimmer of disappointment in her eyes. "I get it," she replied softly.


    As her arms freed him, she became silent, Kael turned slightly and glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. He inwardly sighed, capturing the disappointment in her eyes.


    Kael turned around, pulling Amanda into a hug all of a sudden. Without speaking anything else, his hands slid down her back, gently caressing her as he kissed her deeply.


    His welcoming embrace and the kiss removed her disappointment, and she, too, started kissing him back, her hands encircling his neck while she tiptoed. As they continued to kiss, his hands instinctively moved to her hips, tracing circles against her skin.


    Just then, they both hear the soft sound of footsteps coming just outside the door. "Kael~." A voice, filled with affection, followed by footsteps.


    "Sh*t. It¡¯s Laura¡­" Kael realized that it was his obsessive fourth wife¡ªLaura, who always competes with Amanda. He doesn¡¯t want to be in the middle of another catfight.


    With a deep breath, Kael stood tall and turned towards the curtain. As he opened it partially and put his head out, he found Laura standing at the entrance of the room, her hands carrying a glass of fruit-infused water.


    "Laura," Kael calls gently, his voice warm. "What do you want?"


    "Oh, you were already in the shower?" Laura was taken aback. "I thought you wanted a refreshing drink. I made it by myself. For a refreshing touch, I also mixed mint in it."


    "Okay, uhh¡­ thanks, my love. I will drink after the sho¡­ Sss¡­" Kael suddenly hissed sharply for a moment, sensing that Amanda¡¯s hands were once again on his manhood.


    "Are you alright?" She asked in worry. "Did you have any injuries?"


    Kael shook his head, offering a reassuring smile. "I¡¯m alright, really. Keep the drink on the table and leave. I will be with you in a while..." He glanced back at Amanda, who stood behind him with a mischievous smile as her hands moved. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Laura nodded slowly, her shoulders relaxing. "Understood."


    "Ok," Kael smiled big, watching her turn around and leaving the room.


    "Ssss¡­ Amanda." Kael retracted his head back into the shower and looked at his eldest wife. "Seriously?"


    Amanda, who¡¯s been quietly stroking his manhood, gave Kael a teasing grin and went down to her knees. "Looked fun to me, messing with you like that."


    "Ugh¡­" Kael groaned as her mouth was all over his manhood and her hands were on his buttocks, pressing them tightly and almost digging her nails into them. "Mmm~"


    He couldn¡¯t help but grab the back of her head, going on with the flow.


    It was at this moment they heard footsteps once again, and this time, they weren¡¯t light. They were heavy and rushed.


    Laura strode toward the bathroom and pushed away the curtain, her eyes falling on Kael and Amanda. "So, this is what you have been doing." Her gaze grew sharp, her arms crossing tightly her chest.


    "Uhh¡­ Laura¡­ that is¡­" Kael wanted to explain and soothe her in a way that she wouldn¡¯t start an argument or, worse¡ªjoin them, because this pair of sisters grow too wild as they compete in intercourse. He already experienced it on the ship. Don¡¯t want another such experience.


    However, Amanda cut him off and spoke. "So what? He is doing his job as a husband, pleasing his wife."


    "You¡­" Laura shifted her gaze to Amanda, who was still on her knees. But then Amanda, without hesitation, shouts again, her voice playful yet firm. "We¡¯re busy, Laura! You can have him later if you want¡ªdon¡¯t disturb us now!" She went on grabbing the curtain, adding, "Now, if you excuse us, we¡¯ll resume our intimate session. I have to leave for the palace in a few hours. Don¡¯t spoil my mood now." She didn¡¯t wait for Laura¡¯s reaction and shut the curtains again, leaving Laura enraged and Kael embarrassed as he couldn¡¯t speak a word.


    "Ugh¡­ Alright. Fine." Laura¡¯s voice rose in frustration, followed by the sound of her stomping away from the room, slamming the door shut as she left.


    Kael let out a sigh, staring down at his wife. "C¡¯mon, it is your sister. You can use a less harsher tone." Inwardly, he was feeling a pain in his head as after this, he would have to focus on uplifting Laura¡¯s mood. A simple lunch date wouldn¡¯t do. He would have to plan their date meticulously now.


    Amanda smirked, gently brushing her tongue against his manhood, which hardened to its peak state once again. "For someone like Laura, it¡¯s useless to discuss using a nice tone. It is better to remind her of the seniority in the family instead and then focus on repairing her mood later." She opened her mouth widely and started enjoying the feast.


    Kael, still a bit caught off guard, simply nodded, letting out a moan of pleasure.


    Mmm~


    And then, their moans continued to fill the room for a while.

 Chapter 48: Laura’s frustrations

    In the living room, Laura was seated on a couch, visibly restless. She cast a glance at Melissa, who was sipping tea while reading a book. The maids were busy with their duties but seemed to notice the fifth princess¡¯ sour mood.


    Laura huffed impatiently. "Two hours. Two hours! And she¡¯s still in there with him."


    Melissa, looking up from her book, smiled gently. "Jealousy doesn¡¯t suit someone of our status, Laura. It¡¯s unbecoming for a lady of nobility, and even more so for royalty."


    Laura pouted, clearly frustrated. "You all had political marriages, arranged for you. It¡¯s not the same for me. I¡¯ve loved him long before even our marriage. It¡¯s already hard for me to share him like this. And ever since Eldest Sister intruded in my married life, it became frustrating. I don¡¯t want to fight with my own sister, and yet, I couldn¡¯t help but¡­ sigh¡­"


    Melissa, setting down her tea, raised an eyebrow. "I understand how you feel, Laura. But despite all of our different circumstances, we¡¯re all married to Kael now. And whether some of us like it or not, this is a fact that we have to get used to."


    Laura crossed her arms, clearly torn. "I know, but it isn¡¯t easy. Everything was fine until a few weeks. I want happiness for Eldest Sister but I¡¯m not happy that she was taking his attention whenever she feels like it and I become a second fiddle."


    Laura felt the sting of frustration grow deeper as she sat on the couch, contemplating her thoughts.


    It was around she was nine years old when she developed a crush on Kael. Even during the dinner conversations with her mom, since she was young, she always declared that after growing up, she would marry Kael Moonstone.


    She had always believed her imperial status would be enough to keep other women at bay, confident that she would be Kael¡¯s only wife. Adam, her older brother, always rooted for her love, trying to make sure Laura held enough conversations with his best friend whenever they met in formal events. She rejected many nobles who showed their interest in her.


    Eventually, she married the love of her life.


    However, she had never imagined she would have to share her husband with others. Yet, her mother had made a decision that threw everything into disarray¡ªKael was also now married to four of her own sisters.


    Despite her initial bitterness, Laura had made peace with it.


    Amanda was often at the palace, Shiera stayed far in the wilderness, Seraphina had always been celibate, and Melissa... well, Melissa had never been as intimate with Kael as the others had. It was a wife¡¯s obligated duty for her, not love. Laura had convinced herself it was fine, that she was still the favorite in Kael¡¯s eyes, that he still devoted the most attention to her. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But now, everything has changed. Their eldest sister, Amanda, who had once been a distant, cold figure ever since she lost her previous husband, had started to grow closer to Kael. It seemed she had moved on from her past, and now, she claimed Kael as her own whenever she wished, using her status as the eldest sibling. The fact that Amanda had become so possessive, almost controlling in her relationship with Kael, was frustrating to Laura beyond words.


    Melissa, sensing Laura¡¯s agitation, her gaze calm but knowing. "I can offer you sympathy, Laura, but the reality is something you can¡¯t avoid. We all find ourselves in this situation, and we must adapt to it, whether we like it or not."


    Laura shook her head vehemently, her fists clenched. "No," she said, her voice unwavering. "I won¡¯t let things get worse. I refuse to just sit here and let them control the situation. The only way I can fix this¡ªtruly fix this¡ªis by helping Shiera get what she wants... the throne."


    Melissa blinked, slightly surprised by Laura¡¯s sudden declaration. "The throne?" she asked softly.


    "Yes," Laura replied, her determination palpable. "Once Shiera takes the throne, she¡¯ll annul her marriage to Kael. And when that happens, I¡¯m certain Seraphina will follow suit. She¡¯s celibate, and though her behavior has been changing lately, I¡¯ll make sure she stays true to herself¡ªunmoved, as always."


    Melissa remained silent for a moment, weighing Laura¡¯s words. It was clear that the path Laura envisioned was one of immense change, a delicate game of power, manipulation, and control. But in the end, Laura has every right to fight for her place too.


    Melissa smiled, her expression calm yet tinged with a hint of amusement as she set down her teacup. "I won¡¯t get myself involved in whatever you¡¯re planning, Laura," she said, her voice soft but firm. "But I do have one piece of advice for you."


    Laura, who had been lost in her own thoughts, turned her attention back to Melissa, listening intently.


    "You need to make sure your actions," Melissa continued, her eyes narrowing just slightly, "only work to prevent the scenario you¡¯re afraid of¡ªdon¡¯t let your frustration or ambition lead you to hurt your sisters in the process." Her tone was gentle but carried a weight of caution as if warning Laura of the potential consequences of letting her emotions take the reins. An obsessed woman¡¯s jealousy is dangerous enough to ruin her life and everyone around her. Melissa only hoped that Laura wouldn¡¯t take such measures against her sisters, trying to hurt their relationships with their shared husband, but only compete against others to gain their husband¡¯s attention and affection.


    "I know," Laura said quietly. "I love my siblings. I won¡¯t jeopardize their relationship with mine or Kael. I will merely try to prevent a possible scenario of drastically changing their attitude toward Kael. Back then, when Eldest Sister took Kael with her to Ikaris, had I followed suit, right now, the situation would have been better. I will not make that mistake again."


    Melissa smiled, shaking her head before taking the teacup into her hand once again.


    *


    Later that noon, Kael and Laura walked into the bustling merchant guild after sending the supplies to the House of Sinclair and getting the seal from the client.


    The guild was filled with merchants discussing trade, adventurers exchanging tales of their quests, and the faint scent of parchment and ink in the air. Both of them made their way to the receptionist¡¯s desk, where the female clerk greeted them with a smile.


    "I¡¯m here to submit the results of my quests," Kael said, placing the four parchments on the desk in front of her.


    The clerk glanced at the parchments and then looked back at him with a raised eyebrow. Three of the parchments bore official seals¡ªproof of completion of the quests he had accepted. The fourth parchment, however, was empty, with a bold stroke drawn through it. Kael had decided to withdraw from the haunted mansion quest, as he had no intention of pursuing it further.


    The clerk didn¡¯t seem surprised.


    The haunted mansion quest was notorious for being difficult to handle, and many merchants, like Kael, often returned it in failure. Kael was the seventh one to return. She nodded understandingly, not questioning the reason.


    "Completing three quests is still impressive," she said. She quickly tallied up the numbers through an abacus, adjusting her glasses as she worked through the calculations.


    "You¡¯ve earned 570 merits for completing the quests. As for your payment," she paused to double-check, "Deducting the advanced payment we have provided for you, your earnings would be 4700 gold coins in total. Give me a second."


    She left for the money storage room, where the reward for each quest, noted by their unique number, would be stored in a pouch placed on the shelves separately.


    Soon, she returned with three pouches of gold and handed it over to Kael. The latter threw all of them directly into the storage ring and smiled. "Thank you."


    From his advance, there¡¯s an additional 524 gold coins saved, so that gives him a grand total of 5,224 gold coins for the day. Of course, he pledged supplies and 1000 gold coins every quarter for the orphanage, but that¡¯s ok. If he could earn thousands of gold coins every month, that charity wouldn¡¯t put a dent in his savings.


    Kael smiled slightly, satisfied with the result.


    Laura, standing beside him, watched with a hint of amusement. "Not bad, huh?" she teased lightly.


    Kael gave a small chuckle. "Not bad at all," he agreed, taking a note in his head that he should indeed focus more on those Banquet quests until he reaches the Gold Tier.


    Without taking any more quests, Kael left the guild and hit the streets.


    As Kael and Laura¡¯s horse carriage walked through the bustling streets of the city, they soon found themselves stopping outside Velvet & Gold, the city¡¯s most luxurious restaurant. Its tall, polished doors gleamed in the sunlight, and the elegant marble exterior promised the finest experience.


    Kael gave Laura a soft smile as they entered, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the refined interior.


    Inside, the ambiance was warm and inviting, with golden chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, their soft glow casting a lavish hue across the room. Velvet curtains hung from the windows, and the scent of freshly prepared gourmet dishes wafted through the air. Kael was glad to be away from the hectic pace of the merchant guild and had been looking forward to spending a peaceful afternoon with Laura.


    The floor manager, Nyssa, immediately recognized Laura as they walked in. With a polite smile, she greeted them, "Your Highness, it¡¯s been a while! It¡¯s a pleasure to have you back. And this must be your... husband?" Her eyes lingered on Kael for a brief moment, though her tone remained professional.

 Chapter 49: Kael and Laura’s Lunch Date

    Laura returned the smile warmly. "It¡¯s been too long, Nyssa. Yes, this is Kael Moonstone. We¡¯re here for lunch if you¡¯d be so kind as to show us to a table."


    "A pleasure, Your Highness." Nyssa beamed and nodded, leading them through the grand dining area. The ground floor was mostly empty, save for a few elite adventurers who were enjoying their meals, speaking in hushed voices about the challenges they¡¯d faced on their recent quests. They didn¡¯t seem to notice the couple, their eyes focused on their own business.


    The staff greeted them courteously as they passed, and Nyssa led them toward the staircase that led to the VIP floor. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, however, a voice stopped them.


    "Hold it," a woman¡¯s voice called out from behind them.


    A tall, muscular female adventurer, her aura clearly signifying her Tier-7 status, approached them.


    Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Nyssa. "I was just told the VIP floor was fully booked, so what¡¯s this? Are they the ones who made the reservation?"


    Nyssa hesitated, her face flushing slightly with embarrassment as she looked at the adventurer. "Actually, Lady Seris," she said in a polite but apologetic tone, "this is Princess Laura and the Prince Consort. The VIP floor has been... reserved for them."


    Laura, who had been listening to the exchange, couldn¡¯t help but laugh lightly at the misunderstanding. With a teasing tone, she looked at Nyssa. "When did the rules change around here? There are no reservations, right?" she asked, a playful smile dancing on her lips. After a brief pause, she looked at a surprised Kael, "Dear, did you book the restaurant."


    Kael shook his head in silence. Laura was taken aback and looked at the floor manager. Seris¡¯ frown deepened at the same time.


    Nyssa, feeling the tension rising, nervously glanced between the two before offering a slight bow to Nyssa. "I... I apologize. It¡¯s just that the head manager specifically asked me not to let any commoners into the VIP section today. There¡¯s a very special guest up there, and we¡¯re supposed to maintain discretion." She added, almost in a quiet tone, "Earlier, you identified yourself without a surname, when you were blocked from going onto the staircase. So, I assumed that you were a commoner and¡­"


    "Who is it?" Laura asked, interrupting her. Only a Duchess would have the audacity to ban commoners and even adventurers from entering the VIP section of this restaurant.


    "It was a foreign ambassador from the Nymira Empire, Your Highness," replied Nyssa, her voice quivering in nervousness.


    Laura¡¯s curiosity piqued at Nyssa¡¯s mention of the Nymira Empire. She leaned in, her voice soft yet inquisitive. "An ambassador of the Nymira Empire? It was on the other side of the world. Why would an ambassador come here?"


    Nyssa shook her tone, her tone respectful as she explained. "I¡¯m not aware of the specifics but the head manager only mentioned that she isn¡¯t something we can afford to offend, so¡­"


    Kael and Laura exchanged a glance, both equally surprised and intrigued by the news.


    The Nymira Empire was one of the three greatest powers in the world, with an unparalleled history of conquest, diplomacy, and influence. Becoming an Empire was no small feat.


    The process to attain Empire status was rigorous: a Queendom needed to gain the loyalty of at least five other queendoms, making them vassals, and then receive the recognition of the Supreme Pontiff of the Radiant Church. It was a mark of immense power, and once granted, the Supreme Pontiff would crown the ruling monarch, bestowing upon them the title of Empress. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One can say even a normal ambassador representing the Empire would have a higher status than even a duchess of their Elyria Queendom.


    As Kael and Laura exchanged another thoughtful glance, the adventurer, clearly not amused, let out a sharp scoff. "A foreign ambassador tries to trample over our heads?" she grumbled, her arms crossed and eyes narrowing at Nyssa. "Is this the kind of biased behavior you¡¯re promoting? Prioritizing foreigners over citizens. Whoever it was, sooner or later, they will return to her hometown, and you will see me again tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, next week, and even next month. Are you sure your head manager wanted to offend high-ranking adventurers based on their birthright?"


    The Tier-7 adventurer¡¯s voice grew louder as her temper flared. "I want to meet that head manager of yours and that foreigner who acted like she owns this place."


    Nyssa¡¯s face turned pale and she stepped aside with her head hung down, letting Adventurer Seres make her way toward the VIP section without waiting for further permission. Her power rippled through the air, and her stride was unrelenting.


    The customers around simply watched the adventurer, then started murmuring.


    Kael, ever calm, simply shrugged. "It¡¯s not our problem, is it?" He gently squeezed Laura¡¯s hand, giving her a reassuring smile. There was no need to get involved in the growing tension¡ªespecially when it was someone else¡¯s dispute.


    Laura smiled back at him, nodding. "No, it¡¯s not." With a quick glance, she followed Kael¡¯s lead as they ascended the staircase to the VIP floor, their hands still intertwined. Nyssa led them both, nervousness creeping up her neck.


    The moment they passed the door to the VIP area, the luxurious ambiance of the space enveloped them, offering a contrast to the noise of the ground floor. The noise-canceling spell that protected the VIP section ensured that the hustle and bustle downstairs didn¡¯t reach them.


    All they could hear was the soft music, the quiet clink of silverware, and the faint murmur of voices. Neither of them heard any noises of fighting or arguments either, which they expected based on that adventurer¡¯s stride.


    Kael and Laura entered the VIP dining hall, their eyes scanning the beautifully appointed room. Tables were set with the finest porcelain, crystal glasses glistening in the light, and delicate flowers adorning every corner. The atmosphere was serene, exclusive, and vastly different from the loud chatter below.


    But there was something else their attention was picked by.


    The lady who had barged past Nyssa earlier was now kneeling in silence before a young blonde-haired girl, no older than sixteen, who exuded an almost ethereal beauty. Her delicate features and blue eyes made her look like a doll, and her presence commanded the attention of the room. Beside her sat an elderly man, whose sharp eyes were fixed on Kael, his gaze unwavering.


    Standing by the table, a picture of formality, was Zara Silver, the restaurant¡¯s head manager, who was acting in a manner that resembled that of a servant, despite her usual authoritative air. The table before the lady was filled with exquisite dishes, and the contrast between the calmness of the young princess and the formality of her surroundings only added to the sense of intrigue.


    As soon as Zara caught sight of Laura, her face softened, and she rushed over to greet her. "Princess Laura, Lord Moonstone," Zara said with a deep bow, her voice warm. "It is an honor to have you here. "


    She quickly shifted her focus to the doll-like teenager, who was now standing. "Allow me to introduce you to Her Highness¡ªArtemis Phoenix, the seventh imperial princess of the Nymira Empire," Zara said, her tone respectful as she motioned toward the young girl. She then turned to the elderly man beside her. "And this is Dragamir Grippen, their royal preceptor."


    Kael and Laura exchanged a surprised glance, both taken aback by different things, the former was surprised by the presence of a demigod, while the latter was surprised because it wasn¡¯t a simple ambassador. It was an imperial princess who more or less had an equal standing with Laura¡¯s mother.


    Artemis smiled softly as she gave a small, elegant curtsy. "It¡¯s a pleasure," she said, her voice as soft and composed as her appearance.


    "Artemis Phoenix," the princess repeated with a gentle smile, her gaze shifting to Kael. "And you must be...?"


    Laura stepped in, a little hesitantly, but with a polite smile. "I¡¯m Laura Flamehart," she introduced herself with grace before pointing to Kael. "And this is my husband, Kael Moonstone."


    Artemis¡¯ blue eyes widened slightly as her attention sharpened on Kael. "Moonstone?" she repeated as if the name held a particular weight. "Do you¡­ have the tattoo?" she asked, her voice full of curiosity.


    Kael and Laura exchanged a surprised look.


    Neither of them had expected such a question, especially from a stranger like Princess Artemis, who they were meeting for the first time. Kael, though taken aback, remained composed and quiet, unsure of how to respond.


    Artemis, not waiting for an answer, carefully removed her left glove, revealing a tattoo on her palm. It was intricate and slightly different from Kael¡¯s, but there was an undeniable connection. Kael¡¯s eyes widened in recognition, and for a moment, his mind raced. Artemis caught his reaction and smiled faintly.


    "Do you recognize it?" she asked, her voice gentle.

 Chapter 50: Lunch with a Foreign Princess (1/2)

    "Do you recognize it?" she asked, her voice gentle. "This tattoo was given to me by my paternal grandfather, Hugolinus Moonstone. When he had it inscribed, he told me that those who carry the same tattoo are considered family. So, do you have it?"


    Kael¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but he shook his head slowly. "I don¡¯t have that tattoo," he said, his voice steady, though there was a hint of confusion in his eyes. "But I¡¯ve seen a similar tattoo on my sister¡¯s arm."


    Artemis nodded, understanding his response. "I see," she said, her voice tinged with a note of thoughtfulness. "It seems our paths are more entwined than we realized."


    "We¡­ uhh¡­ wouldn¡¯t waste Your Highness¡¯ time. If you excuse us¡­" As the moment passed, Laura, noticing the tension that had started to build in the air, gently took Kael¡¯s hand and led him to a table farther away from Artemis and the elderly man.


    Call it a woman¡¯s intuition or a jealous wife¡¯s intuition, but she strongly felt she would regret it later on if she let this princess carry out her conversation. She already had a headache with her eldest sister. She doesn¡¯t want others to get close to her husband anymore. The fact that Artemis took the initiative to talk to him and seemingly had common topics to talk about made her uncomfortable.


    She wanted to put some distance between them to calm herself down, but before the head manager could take their order, Artemis called out. "Lord Moonstone."


    "Yes?"


    "Please, do join us," Artemis invited, her tone warm but undeniably commanding. "It would be pleasant to have your company."


    Laura hesitated, glancing at Kael with her heart rate rising steadily, but seeing his calm demeanor and remembering her status as an ambassador, she nodded in acceptance. "We¡¯d be happy to join you," she replied, smiling politely. The tension that had briefly flickered in the air now gave way to a more formal invitation, and they made their way toward Artemis and Dragamir.


    As they approached, Laura couldn¡¯t help but wonder about the strange coincidences and connections that had been unfolding since their arrival. The presence of the Nymira Empire¡¯s princess in this very restaurant, the mention of the Moonstone name, and the mysterious connection between their families¡ªit all felt far too complicated to ignore.


    Kael, ever the calm and collected figure, remained quiet as he followed Laura. He was aware of the weight of the situation, but his attention was focused on the now-growing interaction with Princess Artemis. The tattoo and the Moonstone surname.


    His father was the one who inscribed the tattoo on his arm. And while Mia¡¯s tattoo was inscribed by their mother when she turned nine, he didn¡¯t think much back then even though her tattoo was different from his. After all, the mystical tattoo was the creation of Raiden House. He only thought back then it could be the difference of gender.


    And then, at Duchy of Ikaris, he stumbled upon Serestia¡¯s tattoo, which was inscribed on her blind eye. This tattoo was identical to his, but since she is the same gender as Mia, Kael changed his assumption and concluded that it was because his mother didn¡¯t belong to Raiden House, she couldn¡¯t properly master it or change the design in her own way.


    But now, there sat a descendant of Moonstone House, a female gender who was given a tattoo that looked identical to his sister¡¯s.


    That means the tattoos inscribed on his sister and his arm were different. So, were they completely different tattoos with different functions? Or is there something more to this? He knew little about Raiden House but was confident that he knew the entire history of Moonstone House. But it looks like he doesn¡¯t know it. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With these questions lingering in his mind, Kael and Laura joined the princess at her table, ready to navigate what seemed like a fateful meeting.


    *


    After the adventurer¡¯s constraints were released and she left away, Kael and Laura took their seats, sitting opposite Artemis. The demigod who came with her sat on the table behind the princess, letting the young ones have a casual talk among themselves.


    Artemis leaned forward, her eyes fixed on Kael. "How long has the Moonstone House been in Elyria?" she asked, breaking the comfortable silence.


    Kael looked back into her eyes, calm and collected. "Since the Third Era, almost eight hundred years now, Princess."


    "Please, don¡¯t be formal. You can call me by first name. For all we know, we were distant cousins," She smiled.


    Kael nodded. "Understood, Miss Artemis. You can also address me with¡­ Sss¡­" he was about to say that she could also address him with Kael but instead let out a hiss of pain as Laura pinched his thigh.


    "Hmm? What¡¯s wrong?" Artemis blinked.


    As Kael awkwardly smiled, Laura spoke curtly. "I apologize, Your Highness, but you were here as an ambassador, not as a simple royal guest of the state. Even if we were meeting in a restaurant, it would be inappropriate for casual addresses. As a man, My husband didn¡¯t have much training in formalities, but back then, it didn¡¯t matter to him. Now that he is a Prince Consort, he also needs to be mindful of his behavior. I apologize for his informal address."


    "Uhh¡­" Kael wanted to say something, but he stayed quiet. Artemis narrowed her eyes, her gaze shifting from Laura to Kael and then to Laura. In the end, she smiled. "Understood, Princess Laura."


    After a brief pause, she resumed the conversation as if that little bit of tense situation didn¡¯t occur at the table.


    "Anyway, the reason I was intrigued about your surname and the tattoo is that we have Moonstone House in our Empire, too," Artemis said, absently swirling the glass noodles through her fork. "Though their situation is... precarious. My grandfather is the current head, but he might be the last."


    "No female heirs?"


    "None." Artemis sighed. "He married three times and fathered six children. All of them turned out to be male, one of them was my father who married the Empress for the sake of power despite knowing that her former three husbands all died from assassinations. As for my uncles, unfortunately, all of them died before my birth, some died of assassinations and some died heroically against a beast horde. Apart from my father, none of them managed to leave behind any heirs. That leaves me and my elder sister, Athena¡ªwho by the way took an oath of celibacy. Hence, no heirs left for my grandfather. However, he¡¯s making one final attempt. He took a young wife recently and she is about 6 months pregnant. If the heavens favor him, Moonstone House will survive without any issue, but if it¡¯s another boy..." She shrugged. "He¡¯ll have no choice but to search for female descendants across the world. Any distant relative who might carry even a drop of Moonstone blood."


    Kael nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. He¡¯d seen other noble houses face similar predicaments. The weight of tradition bore down heavily on them all ¨C the ancient law that demanded matriarchy, where only females could become the heads of their respective families.


    A male could become the head of the house if no female heir was present, but in the case of noble houses, the laws were even more stringent. A male heir can only lead their Noble House if three generations have passed without another male head.


    Even then, such leaders were forbidden from claiming the prestigious titles of Duke or Earl. Their primary duty was to serve as caretakers until a proper female heir could be found or chosen.


    Artemis watched as Kael intently listened to her woes. "You were nobility. I¡¯m sure you must be aware that most houses would rather search for distant blood relatives than adopt outsiders," she continued. "The thought of giving their power and legacy to a stranger..." She shook her head. "It¡¯s considered a last resort."


    The alternative was extinction. The mere word sent chills through noble circles ¨C the death of a bloodline, the loss of territories to the crown. All that would remain were their personal residences and private holdings.


    In such a case, the only hope for revival would be if someone bearing the family name emerged from the masses, proved their lineage in the royal court, and began the long climb back to prominence, starting from the humble rank of Baroness.


    "Your grandfather must be under immense pressure," Kael said softly.


    "He is." Artemis¡¯s fingers drummed against the armrest. "But he¡¯s determined. The Moonstone legacy won¡¯t end with him ¨C not if he can help it."


    "Anyways, I was just wondering whether you have any immediate family, someone who could take over the reins," Artemis asked, her hope dimming as she watched Kael¡¯s expression darken.


    "Mother passed away years ago," he said quietly, his fingers absently tracing the embossed pattern on a book cover. "And my sister..." He paused, swallowing hard. "She¡¯s been missing for some time now."


    "First or second cousins, perhaps? Any female relatives at all?"


    Kael shook his head. "None that I know of."


    Artemis slumped back in her chair, disappointment evident on her face. "If your sister is missing, as the male head of the house, I bet you must be pressured too."


    "Uhh¡­ Actually, I¡¯m not worried about it. You see, I have five wives. So, the chances of having a daughter are very high," Kael replied sheepishly.


    "Eh? Five wives?" Artemis blinked. But then something flickered in her memory ¨C a recent conversation she had with the Queen about multiple royal weddings of her daughters. She sat up straight, her eyes widening in realization.


    "Wait... The five princesses who recently married..." She stared at Kael with newfound interest. "They all married you? Wow, that¡¯s amazing."


    A faint blush crept across Kael¡¯s cheeks as he nodded.

 Chapter 51: Lunch with a Foreign princess (2/2)

    Artemis burst into delighted laughter. "I had no idea! Everyone was talking about the weddings, but I never knew they were all to the same person." She gave him an appraising look. "You must be indeed capable for Queen Remia to trust you with five of her daughters."


    "Thanks," Kael became embarrassed by her praise, the blush on his cheeks becoming more evident.


    "Your Highness, you know nothing. My husband managed to form a contract with a spectral wolf, without any help or so whatever," Laura chimed in, proudly speaking of her husband¡¯s achievement. She wanted to brag more but nothing significant came to her mind that she could brag it to Artemis.


    But Artemis wasn¡¯t listening anymore. Her mind was racing with possibilities. The Moonstone House here might lack territories and nobility titles, but five princesses as wives meant multiple potential female heirs. Meanwhile, her Empire¡¯s branch of the family held vast territories and prestigious titles ¨C everything except a future.


    A plan began forming in her mind. Her grandfather needed female descendants to continue the line. Here was a branch of the family that could soon have plenty.


    Her eyes gleamed with calculation as she looked at Kael. "Lord Moonstone," she said, leaning forward, "If you don¡¯t mind, can we exchange our mana signatures? My grandfather would love to meet the descendant of Moonstone House like yourself. I¡¯m not sure you are aware, but Moonstone House mystical seals can track each other. You said your sister is missing, right? Perhaps my grandfather could help you track her down. Unfortunately, that knowledge hasn¡¯t been passed down to me because I¡¯m a member of Phoenix House, not Moonstone House."


    "Eh? You can track down each other using tattoos?" Kael¡¯s voice rose all of a sudden. "I apologize," He apologized and calmed down himself, although inwardly, he couldn¡¯t help but remember when his tattoo flared up when Serestia needed help.


    According to his father, the tattoos call each other for help when they are nearby, and one of them was truly hoping for some help from the bottom of their heart.


    But, he didn¡¯t know that the tattoos can actually be used to track down each other, too.


    So, was it only exclusive to Moonstone House¡¯s mystical seals? Or does that also apply to Raiden House¡¯s tattoo?


    As thoughts filled up in his head, Laura, ever the protective wife, spoke up instead. "While we were thankful for your help, it¡¯s highly inappropriate for a foreign princess to seek such a personal exchange with a Prince Consort without considering the consequences. Mana signatures are private, and we cannot afford to make such decisions lightly, especially with Her Majesty¡¯s strict rules regarding foreign relations. You have to understand that Kael isn¡¯t just my husband. He is the husband of my eldest sister¡ªthe Prime Minister of the state, and my younger sister¡ªthe future Queen."


    Artemis nodded, not offended in the slightest by Laura¡¯s words. "I understand your caution, Princess Laura." She glanced toward Kael who furrowed his brows in displeasure at his wife¡¯s intervention, her tone shifting to one of professionalism. "I was only trying to offer the help. If it is inappropriate, I won¡¯t press further on the matter."


    It was then Laura shook her head with a smile. "I¡¯m actually not done, Your Highness. My husband cannot exchange his mana signature with you, but I can¡¯t. Unlike the Nymira Empire, not all members of royalty are tied to the throne here. I don¡¯t belong in politics and neither did I have relations with any of the state secrets. So, it is perfectly fine with the rules if we exchange our mana signatures."


    Kael was surprised, glancing at his wife. Earlier, he merely thought that his wife was trying to keep him away from Artemis. While he understands her concerns and respects her opinions, when it comes to his sister, he wouldn¡¯t let it be. He planned on going against his wife¡¯s wishes and exchanging his mana signature with Artemis in order to form a communication channel through their respective communication scrolls. But then he heard his words and he couldn¡¯t help but smile, feeling guilty of his thoughts. The smile returned to his face as he grabbed her hand under the table and slightly squeezed it as a form of appreciation.


    Soon, Laura and Artemis exchanged their mana signatures, and the group settled into a comfortable rhythm as the exquisite dishes continued to fill the table. While they dined, Laura couldn¡¯t help but probe into her affairs. "So, uhhh¡­ Your Highness, what made you come all over to the other side of the world to meet my mother? Surely, the Nymira Empire wouldn¡¯t send a princess to talk about simple things like trade relations. If it is a state secret, you don¡¯t have to say and I don¡¯t want to hear it either. It is just that I¡¯m curious¡­"


    While Dragamir, who was listening to their conversation from the start, frowned at her question, Artemis, however, played it cool and answered honestly. "It can be considered a state secret but at the same time, it is not. I¡¯ve come to speak with the Queen regarding the Tower of Zurin," she said, her tone quiet yet urgent.


    Kael¡¯s brows furrowed, though he quickly masked his reaction. Artemis studied Kael for a moment, narrowing her eyes, but explained calmly to Laura, who seemed confused. "The Tower of Zurin is a mysterious and powerful structure that appears across different lands at irregular intervals, sometimes every five years, and sometimes it would take five decades too. This time, after three decades, it is going to emerge here, right in the heart of Elyria. Not many are aware of it yet, but soon, they will do when the tower emerges, and adventurers from all corners of the world will flock to it, seeking the power and secrets it holds."


    Kael¡¯s curiosity piqued. The Tower of Zurin was something linked to his quest given by a mysterious stranger who was aware of his sister¡¯s whereabouts as well as his family secret. Laura, equally intrigued, looked at Artemis intently.


    Artemis leaned forward, her eyes flickering with determination. "I¡¯ve come to warn the Queen about the Tower¡¯s imminent appearance and to request a priority pass for myself and my party to enter once it manifests. The race to claim its treasures will be fierce, and I intend to be among the first."


    Kael and Laura exchanged glances.


    As the conversation continued, Laura¡¯s eyes sparkled with recognition as she recalled the legends surrounding the Tower of Zurin. "I¡¯ve read about it, actually," she said, her voice tinged with fascination. "According to the historical records, it was created by a legendary blacksmith and archmage, Zurin. The Tower is like a pavilion of weapons, filled with deadly traps and treasures beyond imagination. Weapons of all kinds can be found at any level. The higher you go, the better the weapon, but it¡¯s not just about strength. Sometimes the traps can teleport you to even higher levels, while others might throw you back out entirely. It seems like luck plays a much bigger role than skill as it is said that people would randomly teleport when they go into the tower. The fated and lucky ones would find themselves in the higher flowers while the unlucky have to climb it from the bottom."


    Kael glanced at his wife from the corner. He wasn¡¯t aware that Laura knew so much about the Tower of Zurin. But when he thought about it, she was the head of the state library. It is obvious that she had wide knowledge.


    Meanwhile, Artemis nodded in acknowledgment, her expression serious as she absorbed Laura¡¯s words. "Yes," she confirmed, "over the centuries, many have ventured into the tower, each hoping to claim its legendary weapons. Some succeeded, others... not so much."


    She paused before continuing, her eyes shining with purpose. "There are seven treasured weapons of Zurin, located at the highest levels of the Tower. The Sword of Zurin, The Bow of Zurin, The Shield of Zurin, The Spear of Zurin, The Staff of Zurin, The Pendant of Zurin, and the Crown of Zurin. Six of these weapons have already been claimed by worthy adventurers, but the Sword... the Sword is still out there, waiting to be taken." sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael remained silent, his gaze fixed on Artemis as she spoke. He was intrigued, but he also couldn¡¯t help but think, "If she¡¯s here to claim the Sword of Zurin, then she¡¯s my competition. After I go inside, I would have to swiftly change my identity to K and start climbing until the top without any hesitation." The thought lingered in his mind, but he kept his face neutral, not wanting to show any sign of rivalry.


    Artemis¡¯s expression was one of quiet determination. "As a swordmaster, the Sword of Zurin is the one weapon I must claim. It would also make me the favorite to succeed my mother."


    "Well, the competition would be tough, I guess." Laura passed off a comment. Inwardly, she knew that her mother wouldn¡¯t let this chance slip away from her.

 Chapter 52: Artemis’ true intentions; The Date continues

    The conversation continued, shifting to different topics over time. But, eventually, the lunch came to an end, and both of them excused themselves in the name of having another commitment with a friend.


    Surprisingly, it was Kael who dragged Laura away as soon as they were finished with this free lunch treat, using an excuse. Laura was confused at first, but she played along, not intending to embarrass her husband.


    As Kael and Laura left the restaurant, the once cheerful expression on Artemis¡¯s face faded, replaced by a more serious and contemplative demeanor. Her gaze followed them for a moment before she turned to the old man, Dragamir, her trusted royal preceptor.


    "Teacher," Artemis addressed him quietly, her voice tinged with concern. "What¡¯s wrong? You seem... troubled."


    Dragamir¡¯s sharp eyes, usually calm and composed, narrowed as he looked at her. "Your Highness, I believe something is off about this man, Kael Moonstone."


    Artemis raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his tone. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice steady, though she agreed with his opinion.


    Dragamir continued, his eyes fixated on her. "He mentioned that he doesn¡¯t have a tattoo when you asked but I¡¯m confident that he had the tattoo on his arm. Not one, but two beasts are sealed within it. His mana reserves indicate he is but a weak Tier-1, yet the suppression on his mana core¡­" He paused for a moment before adding, "I believe he is as powerful as you, Your Highness."


    Artemis¡¯s eyes widened at the suggestion. "As powerful as me?" She was taken aback. "Do you mean he was also a Tier-8?"


    Dragamir nodded, his expression unwavering. "I am not entirely certain, Your Highness. It¡¯s a speculation. The fact that I cannot be certain itself is something unsettling."


    Artemis frowned, her thoughts swirling. "If a demigod like you cannot see through him, I bet he was carrying some sort of artifact."


    Dragamir nodded again. "Possible, Your Highness."


    A silence stretched between them as Artemis mulled over what Dragamir had said. The information was unsettling, to say the least.


    After pondering on the matter for a while, she opened her mouth. "Teacher, arrange a spy. It¡¯s better to know what was going on in that Moonstone household. Moreover, there is my grandfather¡¯s matter. Initially, I thought if my grandfather had a boy, and the worst-case scenario arrived, we could abduct one of his children and adopt the baby. But after hearing of the possibility that Kael might be a Tier-8, we should carefully make our preparations."


    Dragamir voiced his opinion. "There is an easier way, Your Highness. You could simply arrange his betrothal to Kael¡¯s eldest daughter as soon as she was born and make her the head of the House after her marriage, and it would pass to their female heir later on. This way, everything will be alright."


    "Oh, that¡¯s a good thing." Artemis¡¯ eyes lit up in acknowledgment. She then said, "Anyway, prepare a spy. Preferably someone who is weak enough to evade everyone¡¯s suspicions."


    "Understood, Your Highness."


    Meanwhile, outside the restaurant, Kael and Laura were walking down the cobblestone streets as the horse carriage slowly followed them, the bright midday sun casting a warm glow over them. The moment of tension from the restaurant seemed to fade, and they were back to their quiet, private time together.


    Laura glanced up at Kael with a playful smile, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "So, what was this other commitment with a friend you had?" she asked.


    Kael smirked slightly and shrugged. "None, actually." His response was casual.


    "I know." Laura¡¯s smile widened. "But, why did you lie though? I thought you were the one who is more comfortable there." She tilted her head slightly, clearly trying to understand.


    Kael chuckled softly. "Today was supposed to be for us, my love. A lunch date, just the two of us, to spend time together¡ªwithout any foreign dignitaries or other distractions. But she actually ruined my plans. I have to pretend all comfortable and happy in front of her so that you won¡¯t get embarrassed."


    Laura¡¯s eyes softened, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. She moved closer to him, wrapping her arm around his. "You¡¯re the best husband ever," she murmured, her voice filled with affection. She gave his arm a playful squeeze before resting her head on his shoulder as they walked.


    Kael smiled in return, his heart lightened by her gesture. They continued to walk in comfortable silence, the moment between them feeling like a brief respite from the growing tension surrounding them.


    Though their day was still young, the weight of Artemis¡¯s earlier words and Dragamir¡¯s unsettling observations lingered in Kael¡¯s mind. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was more to his own power than he had yet to uncover, and that the future was bound to bring more challenges than he had anticipated.


    But for now, he would focus on the moment with Laura, knowing that, for a brief time at least, he could enjoy a quiet, peaceful day¡ªone that was just for them.


    Kael and Laura¡¯s past lunch date continued, starting with the Sapphire Theatre, a grand and elegant venue that set the stage for their romantic afternoon.


    As they entered the opulent theater, the rich velvet curtains and golden fixtures caught their eyes. The air was thick with the scent of perfume and the soft buzz of hushed conversations as the elite of the city settled into their seats.


    "Shall we take our seats, my lady?" Kael asked, offering his arm with a playful smile.


    Laura smiled back, taking his arm. "Lead the way, my dear husband," she teased, her voice soft and warm.


    They were escorted to a private box, an intimate space where they could enjoy the play away from the crowd.


    After a fifteen-minute wait while the other seats were being filled, the lights dimmed, and the performance began at 3 p.m.


    The actors took to the stage, telling the story of two young lovers from feuding noble families¡ªan heiress and the son of a rival duchess. It was said to be based on true events.


    Kael watched the unfolding drama, his fingers gently brushing Laura¡¯s hand, which was resting on the armrest. She leaned closer, her head resting against his shoulder. "I wonder if love could ever be so simple, with no worries of political or family obligations," she murmured.


    Kael chuckled softly, "Perhaps, but then we wouldn¡¯t have all this fun," he said, nudging her playfully.


    As the characters on stage fought to overcome their families¡¯ hatred, Kael and Laura exchanged knowing glances. Such a situation wasn¡¯t relatable for them at all, but for those brief few moments, both of them imagined themselves as main characters, thinking about what they would do if they were in their place.


    They neither discussed their thoughts. But in both of their minds, the same identical play was going on, quite surprisingly in line with the play that was happening before their eyes.


    Both of them were sure that they would indeed fight against their families to keep their love no matter what.


    The performance reached its climax, and the young lovers, after ups and downs, found a way to unite, although the so-called happy ending for the couple was different from what they expected. It ends with the male character¡¯s father having a change of attitude while the female character¡¯s father disowns her.


    Laura sighed contentedly, her eyes sparkling. "Well, that¡¯s quite a happy ending for the male character."


    Kael smiled down at her, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "And this," he said, "this is my happy ending."


    Their next stop was the Aviary, a magical dome filled with rare and fantastical birds.


    The moment they entered, the air seemed to hum with energy as the birds flitted around them. Brightly colored feathers shimmered in the sunlight that poured in through the glass roof, and the tranquil atmosphere surrounded them.


    Laura laughed softly as a brightly feathered bird landed on her shoulder. "Well, aren¡¯t you friendly?" she said, stroking its feathers gently.


    Kael stood beside her, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I think it likes you."


    She grinned at him, before looking at the bird. "I think it just knows I have good taste," she teased, winking at him.


    They strolled through the aviary, admiring the different birds and their mesmerizing colors. One particularly stunning creature¡ªa bird with wings that shimmered like liquid silver¡ªtook flight and soared above them. Laura gasped in awe, and Kael chuckled, watching her eyes light up with wonder.


    "They¡¯re beautiful, aren¡¯t they?" Laura murmured, her voice soft as she looked up at the bird.


    Kael nodded, his gaze moving from the bird to her. "Almost as beautiful as you," he said, his voice low and sincere.


    Laura blushed slightly, giving him a playful shove. "Stop trying to flatter me," she said, but her smile betrayed her appreciation. This is exactly the kind of attention she was looking for, from her husband.


    They spent an hour wandering the aviary, hand in hand, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and each other¡¯s company.


    After the Aviary, they visited the Hall of Echoes, which is located within a walkable distance from the Aviary. It is well known for its perfect acoustics.


    The air seemed to vibrate with the music, and as they walked inside, the sound of a string quartet playing classical melodies filled the space.


    Kael and Laura found a quiet corner, away from the musicians, and sat down on a plush bench. The music was pleasing to their ears; their heart rate completely calmed down to the point that they wanted to take a nap and wash away their worries.


    Her sisters, Artemis, her jealousy, nothing came to her head. Laura, at that moment, forgot about everything else and leaned her head on Kael¡¯s shoulder, sighing contentedly. "It¡¯s like the music is weaving through us, don¡¯t you think?" she whispered.


    Kael smiled, his fingers gently brushing through her hair. "It¡¯s the perfect soundtrack for this moment," he replied.


    They sat in silence for a while, simply letting the music wash over them. Laura looked up at Kael, her gaze soft. "I¡¯m so glad we¡¯re here," she murmured. "Just the two of us, no distractions."


    Kael turned his head to meet her gaze, his hand gently cupping her cheek. "Me too," he said, leaning down to place a soft kiss on her lips.


    She smiled.


    The music continued to swirl around them as they shared a quiet moment. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By the time they got out of the Hall of Echoes and made their way to their next destination, the sun was already beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the Swan¡¯s Lagoon.


    The serene lake stretched out before them, surrounded by lush greenery. They rented a swan boat for themselves, a beautiful vessel with delicate white sails, and set off across the smooth water.


    The boat drifted silently, the only sound being the gentle lapping of the water against the hull. Laura looked around, her eyes taking in the peaceful surroundings. "It¡¯s so quiet here," she said softly. "Like time slows down when you¡¯re on the water."


    Kael sat beside her, his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. "Then let¡¯s make sure we make the best of it," he murmured.


    Laura laughed softly, her hand resting on his. "I could get used to this," she said, resting her head against his chest.


    As the boat glided across the water, Kael rowed with slow, deliberate strokes, their hands touching occasionally as they enjoyed the tranquility of the moment.


    The sun dipped further lower in the sky, casting a fiery orange hue across the horizon as they sat there together, lost in each other¡¯s company.


    As the sky turned darker and darker every second, Kael and Laura decided to end their perfect date with a visit to the Obsidian Baths, a luxurious bathhouse renowned for its steam-filled rooms and serene atmosphere.

 Chapter 53: Kael and Laura in the Bathhouse (Warning: Explicit content. You can skip the chapter)

    Upon learning that the bathhouse was empty at the moment, Kael booked the entire place for themselves, wanting to end the day with some quiet relaxation in each other¡¯s company. The servants and maids were sent away, making the inner part of the bathhouse a restricted region for the sake of giving the couple privacy.


    As it wasn¡¯t uncommon for wealthy from other parts of the Queendom to visit the bathhouse and call for privacy, rejecting the services of the staff wasn¡¯t any unusual for them. They quietly obeyed the order.


    Obsidian Baths is basically a private bathhouse that charges an hourly rate of anywhere between 100 gold coins and 1000 gold coins. It depends on the time of the day, the day of the month, or if there is any festive season going on and things like that. During any festive season of autumn or early winter and when there is a full moon, their hourly rate would be the highest because it is the most beautiful scenery a couple could enjoy in the bathhouse, bathing in the warm pool, gazing at the moon, having wine, and enjoying their intimate session.


    And at present, neither was there a full moon in the sky, nor was it a festive season, but it was after the sunset. So, the hourly rate is 500 gold coins at the moment. Kael didn¡¯t care either way and gave them 1000 gold coins as an advance.


    Of course, they have an excellent reputation for providing excellent security around the bathhouse and making sure that their clients have their privacy, even to the point that they can just roam around naked without worrying about being seen. So, neither Kael nor Laura were worried about anything and stepped inside the inner part of the bathhouse.


    Both of them changed their attire into linen bathing suits and first entered the steam-filled chamber. The soft heat instantly surrounded them, relaxing their muscles and soothing their minds.


    Keeping nothing but undergarments on their bodies, Kael and Laura then made their way to one of the pools, the water glowing in the dim light of the crescent moon.


    Laura smiled at him, her eyes reflecting the flickering candles. "This feels like heaven," she murmured, slipping into the warm water.


    Kael followed her, his movements slow and deliberate as he settled beside her. He reached out, gently brushing her wet hair away from her face, his touch tender. "It does," he agreed softly, his voice almost a whisper.


    Laura leaned in closer, her lips brushing against his ear. "I¡¯m glad I have you by my side, Kael," she whispered, her breath warm against his skin.


    Kael turned his head toward her, his gaze locking onto hers. "And I¡¯m glad to have you," he replied, before pulling her into a gentle kiss, the warmth of the water and the steam swirling around them, creating a sense of intimacy and peace for both of them.


    *


    In no time, both of them loosened their remaining undergarments too, and Laura settled back against her husband¡¯s chest, fitting perfectly into the space that seemed made for her. The water lapped at their shoulders, deliciously hot against their skin.


    "So, what do you think of our date so far?" Kael spoke in a hushed tone, almost whispering into her ears as the back of his hands found their way to her shoulders, caressing the arm downwards.


    "Can¡¯t express in mere words how amazing it was," Laura said, her eyes shut in arousal; his hands slid down her sides, following the curves of her body.


    Meanwhile, Kael began kissing her ears, drawing a deep moan of pleasure from her throat. Mmm~ Laura hummed contentedly as his teeth grazed her earlobes.


    She reached out to his hands and dragged them to her bosom. Kael¡¯s hands roamed over Laura¡¯s body, cupping her small bosoms and squeezing them tightly. Her bosoms fit perfectly in his palms, and he could feel her peaks hardening against his skin. He pinched them gently, sending a shiver down her spine. A loud moan escaped her mouth.


    Aah~


    As her head arched backward, Kael started kissing her neck while massaging her bosoms as if he was kneading meatballs.


    Mmm~ Aah~ Kael~ Aah~


    As the frequency of her moans increased, Kael spun her around and pulled her close, their lips crashing together in a fierce kiss. Their tongues clashed, dancing and twirling as they devoured each other.


    Kael¡¯s hands couldn¡¯t get enough of her, tracing the lines of her body underneath the water as if memorizing every curve and angle. Laura¡¯s hands were no longer over his neck either.


    She reached down into the water and grasped Kael¡¯s manhood, wrapping her fingers around it tightly. "Ugh." He couldn¡¯t help but groan into her mouth as she began stroking his manhood, her hand moving up and down with a slow, teasing rhythm. The sensation was almost too much to bear; Kael felt himself growing harder with each passing moment.


    As they kissed and touched, their bodies began to move closer together. Kael¡¯s legs parted, and Laura slipped between them, her hips pressing against his thighs. The water supported their weight, allowing them to float effortlessly as they twisted together.


    Kael¡¯s hands then moved down to Laura¡¯s hips, gripping them tightly as he pulled her closer. His manhood pressed against her belly, throbbing with need. Laura felt it too; she could sense the urgency building inside him.


    Without breaking the kiss, Kael reached down and guided himself into position. Laura felt the head of his manhood brush against the entrance of her sanctum, sending a jolt of electricity through her body. "Ssss"


    She arched back slightly, just enough for Kael to slip inside. He penetrated her sanctum completely, stretching her wide with one swift thrust.


    "Aaah~" "Oh, Lord"


    A loud moan escaped her mouth, her head arching back involuntarily and her hands tightly wrapping over his neck for the support .


    Kael supported her head with his hand, pushing it back toward him. Their mouths once again locked together while their bodies rocked back and forth, splashing water around.


    Each thrust was like fire igniting within burning away reason, leaving only primal urges. Both slowly lose their senses to the lust enveloping their minds.


    They didn¡¯t need words anymore, only gasps, moans, and grunts.


    What started as a pleasant romantic intimate session under the crescent moonlight turned into raw animalistic pure unadulterated s*x under the open sky.


    No romance, no love, or any gentle foreplays; just two people lost desire driven solely by instinct.


    The world around them melted away, leaving only sensation.


    Laura felt herself being lifted out of the water; Kael¡¯s arms wrapped around her waist, holding tight.


    Her bosoms bounced with each thrust, peaks scraping against Kael¡¯s chest. Aaah~ Aaah~ Kael~ Yes~


    She wrapped her legs around him, pulling closer and deeper.


    She could feel his manhood hitting the deepest spot within her, making her eyes roll backward and her toes curl under. Her moans only grew louder and louder, enough for the bathhouse¡¯s manager, who was distant away from the pool, blushed in embarrassment.


    Meanwhile, Kael¡¯s thrusts grew faster and harder, his manhood pounding into Laura¡¯s sanctum with increasing urgency.


    "Oh, lord!" "Oh, Lord!" "Yes Yes yes Yeesss!" "Aaaah~ Yeah!"


    She felt herself being driven towards the height of bliss, each stroke pushing her closer to the edge. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly, Kael pulled out of Laura and lifted her out of the water, taking her by surprise.


    "Wha¡­"


    Before she reacted, they stumbled together towards the floor, their bodies entwined in a passionate dance. They collapsed onto the cool stone floor, Kael still holding Laura tight.


    As they lay there, Kael positioned himself between Laura¡¯s legs once more. He rubbed his manhood against the entrance of her sanctum before pushing back inside with one swift stroke. Laura arched her back, taking him deeper into her as he started pounding into her once more on the floor.


    Their bodies rocked together in perfect rhythm, each thrust driving them both closer to release, their breathing growing heavier, and sweat dripping from their skin¡­


    Aah~ Aaah~ Mmm~ O, Lord!


    Kael went on grabbing Laura¡¯s hands and pinned them above her head as he continued to drive into her roughly. The moans continued, their necks flushing deep red due to blood rush.


    Soon, He flipped them over so that Laura was on top, straddling him with his manhood buried deep inside of hers.


    "Niceeee¡­ Stay that way¡­ Let me¡­" Laura rode him hard¡ªbouncing up and down on his shaft as they moved together in perfect harmony. Mmm~ Mmm~ Aaah~ Yes Yes Yes Aaah~!


    Next thing they know, Laura was already on her knees, her hands grabbed by Kael, who was behind her as he was thrusting his manhood back and forth rapidly.


    Aah~ Aah~ Aah~ Aah~ Faster Go even rougher Oh, Kael! Aah~ Aah~ Aah~


    Roughly ninety minutes later;


    Argh!


    Kael groaned loudly as he released his fluid inside Laura¡¯s mouth for the second time.


    Their bodies shuddered together in release before Kael sat down on the floor, and Laura collapsed onto him, swallowing his fluid completely.


    A few minutes later, both of them were once again in the warm pool, letting the heat from the waters wash away a little bit of fatigue from their bodies. Kael wrapped his hands over her waist and hugged her as she rested her back against his body, both of them staring at the moon.


    "Today was just too wild, Dear." She said, her lips turning into a satisfactory smile.


    Kael gave a kiss to the side of her neck and replied. "Indeed, it feels different from when do it on the bed."


    "So, what now?" Laura asked.


    "Well, we spent more than an hour already. It would be a waste of time if we leave." Kael paused, his teeth gently biting onto her earlobe once again as she felt the hardness of his manhood on her hip. "Round 3?"


    "You are impossible." Laura chuckled, spinning around to face him. She wrapped her hands over his neck and deeply kissed him.

 Chapter 54: Melissa’s loneliness

    As the evening settled in, Kael and Laura returned to the mansion, both feeling content after their delightful day together.


    They stepped through the grand entrance, still basking in the glow of their memorable date. The air was cool, and the mansion¡¯s quiet atmosphere welcomed them back as they made their way to the main hall.


    "Today was perfect," Laura said, glancing at Kael with a smile as she removed her footwear.


    Kael nodded, his own smile matching hers. "It really was."


    As they entered the foyer, Hester, the mansion¡¯s stewardess, was waiting to greet them. The elderly woman was always polite, with a well-practiced demeanor that came from three decades of serving the noble family.


    "Good evening, Master Kael, Lady Laura," Hester greeted, bowing slightly. "I hope you had a pleasant day."


    "We did, Hester," Laura responded warmly. "Is there anything we should know? Anything urgent?"


    Hester straightened, her tone professional. "Lady Amanda has left for the palace, as is usual with her duties. Lady Seraphina has gone to the church for her daily service as a healer. Lady Melissa has stayed in her room, and I have yet to see her since lunch. Also, there is an invitation from the palace for a royal banquet tomorrow evening."


    Kael raised an eyebrow at the mention of the banquet. "A royal banquet, huh?" he murmured, his mind immediately wandering to the image of the teenager he met at the restaurant. If a princess of an empire comes to their doorstep, no monarch of a Queendom won¡¯t send her back without calling for a royal banquet.


    "Sounds like something important," Laura added, her expression thoughtful.


    Hester gave a small nod. "Indeed, Milady. It¡¯s likely related to the upcoming diplomatic matters."


    Kael let out a sigh, realizing they would need to prepare for that, but for now, he wanted to focus on someone else he left behind. "Thanks for the update, Hester. I¡¯ll take care of things from here."


    Laura, ever loving wife, placed a hand on Kael¡¯s arm. "I¡¯ll head to my room and freshen up. Let me know if you need me for anything," she said softly.


    Kael smiled, nodding. "Of course. I¡¯ll be with you in a moment."


    Kael¡¯s footsteps echoed softly as he walked down the hallway to Melissa¡¯s room instead of his own. He knocked lightly on the door before stepping inside. The room was quiet and serene, filled with the scent of lavender from the potted plants by the window.


    Melissa was curled up in a comfortable chair by the fireplace, a novel in her hands. She didn¡¯t even look up when Kael entered; her focus was entirely on the book in her hands. She might have been this way for hours, it seemed.


    "Is that novel really so interesting?" Kael asked, a hint of amusement in his voice, though there was a touch of concern in his tone.


    Melissa looked up from her book, surprise flickering across her face. "Ah, dear¡­"


    She then placed the novel down on the table beside her and shrugged slightly, becoming calmer. "It¡¯s not much different than any other, really. But sometimes, a story is just something to get lost in," she replied, her voice a lot calmer, but Kael sensed a quiet loneliness in her words.


    Kael walked further into the room and pulled up a chair beside her. "You¡¯ve been here all day, haven¡¯t you?" he asked gently, his voice full of understanding. "I heard from Hester."


    Melissa nodded slowly, her gaze shifting to the window, where darkness took over the surroundings of the estate. "It¡¯s nothing new," she said with a soft sigh. "With everyone else busy with their own responsibilities, I often find myself here alone. The estate needs managing, of course, but after that... it¡¯s just books and more books."


    Kael felt a pang in his chest at the thought of Melissa spending so much time alone. He knew her responsibilities in the household were many, but it seemed as though she was quietly retreating into her own world to avoid the loneliness. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I should¡¯ve spent more time with you today," Kael admitted, a bit of guilt creeping into his voice. "Laura and I were out, and I left you here... I didn¡¯t mean to. She was just angry at me and Amanda. I just thought of improving her mood. But I forgot that you will¡­"


    Melissa raised a hand, offering him a small, understanding smile. "It¡¯s fine, Husband. You had a right to enjoy your day. And it¡¯s not as if I¡¯ve never been on my own. I¡¯ve gotten used to it by now," she said, though her voice faltered a little at the end, betraying the underlying sadness she hadn¡¯t fully expressed.


    Kael could see that, despite her words, there was something more beneath the surface. As he remembered how much he enjoyed his date with Laura, his guilt for Melissa only amplified multi-fold.


    "Still, I want to make sure you¡¯re not alone, not like this. You deserve some fun too, you know?" He could sense that Melissa had been quietly enduring her solitary moments for a while now, and he wanted to offer her something more to look forward to. "I¡¯m free for the next few days," Kael began, his voice soft but sincere. "How about we go out together? Anywhere you¡¯d like to go?"


    "Going out together?" A small frown tugged at her lips at his offer. She was clearly thinking about it but hesitated in the end. "I appreciate the offer, Husband. But... Not right now. Maybe in the future," she replied quietly, shaking her head slightly.


    Kael understood. There were deeper reasons, he suspected, why she preferred to stay home. The main reason: she was bored. Unlike her siblings, she didn¡¯t have any work. She manages the estate¡¯s finances, but it is not like Moonstone House holds any territories or businesses. The estate matters were mostly handled by the Stewardess, and Hester was good at her job. As a result, she mostly spends her time reading books or knitting.


    Still, he wanted to lift her spirits in whatever way he could. He smiled warmly and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "That¡¯s fine. Just be patient for a few more months. Once I hit the Gold tier, I¡¯ll open my own guild. You can manage it for me. I think it¡¯ll be a good opportunity."


    Melissa looked at him thoughtfully, her brow furrowing slightly. "But, guild management isn¡¯t something you can start without a lot of money," she pointed out. Her voice was calm but practical, the weight of the reality behind her words evident.


    Kael nodded, understanding her concern. "You¡¯re right about that. But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got plans. But, before that¡­"


    Kael leaned forward, pulling out a small, leather pouch, from his storage ring. He handed it to Melissa with a smile, the pouch making a soft clink as it settled into her hands.


    "Here. This is for you," Kael said. His voice was calm but tinged with a sense of purpose.


    Melissa¡¯s eyes widened as she took the pouch, feeling the weight of it in her palm. She carefully untied the strings and peeked inside. The sight of gold coins made her eyes widen even further.


    "I earned more than 5,000 gold coins this time," Kael explained. "I spent about 1,200 gold coins when I was out with Laura. The remaining 4,000... that¡¯s yours to manage."


    Melissa didn¡¯t speak for a moment, her fingers gently caressing the gold coins inside the pouch. She looked up at Kael, her expression one of surprise and appreciation. "This... this is a lot more than I thought you would earn from the quests," she said softly, her tone filled with a mix of gratitude and quiet disbelief.


    Kael chuckled, a lighthearted glint in his eyes. "It might not be a huge amount overall, but compared to what I was making just a month ago, it¡¯s definitely more than I could¡¯ve imagined. And that¡¯s what my confidence is built upon."


    Melissa smiled faintly, but her gaze didn¡¯t leave the pouch in her hands. She knew how hard Kael had worked for that money. He was ambitious, yes, but he was also thoughtful when it came to his family. He wouldn¡¯t recklessly pour every money just to start some business. If he were that kind of person, he would have done that by now.


    However, what are his plans to start a guild? Even if he earns 10,000 gold coins per day, it wouldn¡¯t still be enough.


    It was then Kael pulled something else from his coat, something much smaller. Melissa looked down to see an idol¡ªone shaped like an ugly black cat.


    "This," Kael said, his voice taking on a more serious tone, "is made of adamantine alloy. It¡¯s worth a fortune, and I¡¯m sure I could sell it in an auction for at least a million gold coins. That¡¯s more than enough to fund a decent-sized guild for a couple of years, no problem."


    "Million?"

 Chapter 55: A new business venture

    "A million?" Melissa was taken aback, and she gave another look at the idol. Perhaps it was because she heard that the idol was worth a fortune. Suddenly, it looked beautiful, the craftsmanship undeniably fine. "Are you sure it is an adamantine alloy? Have you appraised it? No, where did you find it in the first place?" She no longer looked calm as before. Questions were shooting from her mouth, one after another.


    "I found it in a black market," Kael continued, "and it doesn¡¯t have any ancestral ties to my family. So there¡¯s no pressure for me to do whatever I want with it. I can sell it for a fortune, and that¡¯s the best way to fund our future."


    Melissa looked thoughtful, her finger tracing the edges of the idol. "That¡¯s a good idea, Dear. But..." she paused, her eyes meeting his with a knowing look. "You could also use that money to buy a property or business. Instead of pouring down all the funds to run a guild, it is better to generate a secondary source of income and use that to run the guild. As long as you can cover the wages of the employees, you can run it as long as you like."


    Kael¡¯s eyes sparkled with recognition. "You¡¯re right, Melissa," he said, clearly impressed by her suggestion. "Investing in property could give us a steady stream of income, and we wouldn¡¯t have to worry about the guild¡¯s earnings for a while. Not to mention, it would take a bit of time for me to become a gold-tier merchant anyway. But what do you think I should buy?"


    Melissa gave him a small smile, clearly satisfied with the direction the conversation was going. "Well, there¡¯s just one idea in my mind," she said, but Kael could see that it was a good one. "What is it?" He couldn¡¯t help but ask."


    "Why don¡¯t we buy a shipyard that was in decline, buy off their equipment and everything, renovate it, and open for business?" Melissa put forth a suggestion.


    "I...I¡¯m not sure I follow," Kael said, his confusion evident. "You¡¯re saying we buy a shipyard, with everything it comes with, and renovate it for operations? I don¡¯t know how much it costs, but I¡¯m sure that Shipyards will cost a hefty amount even if it is a run-down one."


    Melissa gave him a small, knowing smile, one that spoke of confidence in her idea. "Not at all." She leaned back slightly in her chair, folding her arms as she explained further. "I heard from a friend of mine who came to visit me when you were in Ikaris. She mentioned that a shipyard is up for sale. It¡¯s only for 500,000 gold coins; we can buy it outright, and it comes with 34 riverboats, 20 ferry boats, 6 cogs, and a large luxury passenger ship. Renovating it would cost another hundred thousand to make it viable and operational. If the idol would indeed be sold for a million, we would still have 400,000 gold coins in excess. We can keep 100,000 gold coins for operating costs, 50000 for wages, and another 50,000 for maintenance and emergency funds for the shipyard. The remaining money can be used to buy land or a store in a decent neighborhood to give it for rent. And when you become a gold-tier merchant, we can sell off those properties and use the money to establish a guild and hire employees."


    She paused for a moment, her eyes meeting his as if waiting for his reaction.


    "That¡¯s a lot to consider," Kael murmured, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He was impressed by her detailed plan but was still wary of the scale. "You think the renovation would be enough to make it profitable?"


    Melissa¡¯s eyes sparkled with the thrill of her idea. "Absolutely. We were already setting aside another hundred thousand for operating costs. That way, the business will have room to breathe even before it takes off. I¡¯m not sure in the long run, but at the very least, buying a shipyard will surely elevate our family¡¯s status in the noble circle. No one will look down on you or try to undermine your career either. Secondly, Mother will surely help in kick-starting our business. I will make sure she will give us the first contract for the repair and maintenance of the warships. Just that will be enough to generate trust in the hearts of people."


    Kael let out a long breath, his mind spinning. But Melissa wasn¡¯t finished. She leaned in a little, her tone more persuasive now.


    "If it works, Dear," she said, her voice warm with promise, "then you won¡¯t have to stress about earning money for the family. The pension from the palace¡ªthe one you get as prince consort¡ªfifty thousand gold coins a month (10,000 per princess). You can use that for leisure, for us to enjoy ourselves, and we won¡¯t have to worry about managing every expense for the estate. You¡¯ll be free to focus on things that matter to you¡ªyour merchant business or anything else."


    Her eyes softened as she spoke, the unspoken implication clear. She wanted to lift some of the burden from his shoulders.


    Kael smiled at her, his heart swelling with affection for how much she cared for him. It wasn¡¯t just about the money; it was about freeing him from stress, so he could enjoy the life they were building together. He appreciated that more than words could express. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "That¡¯s a tempting thought," Kael said, his voice softer now. "It sounds like a good plan. But even so, the shipyard is a bit far from here, isn¡¯t it? Even the nearest coastline is more than 60 kilometers away from our home."


    Melissa nodded, a small chuckle escaping her lips as she added, "Yes, it¡¯s actually about 275 kilometers away from here, located in the southwestern district. But that¡¯s nothing. We can just hire a trusted manager to handle the day-to-day operations. With the right people in charge, we can make it work without being too involved directly. That¡¯s what having a secondary income is all about. You aren¡¯t actively involved in the business and still, money will continuously pour into our pockets."


    Kael leaned back, thinking it over. The idea of managing such a faraway operation didn¡¯t bother him so much. If he runs at his fastest speed, he could cover that distance in twenty minutes. The pressing matter here is that Melissa looked quite excited as she spoke about a new business venture, and he didn¡¯t want to disappoint her. Moreover, Melissa was his treasurer. Whatever money he gets from the palace as a pension and the money he gets from the quests, all of them are usually handled by Melissa. Regarding finances, he trusts her the most, more than himself. If she is confident, then, he must support her.


    "Alright," he said after a beat of contemplation. "You¡¯ve convinced me, Melissa. If it makes you happy, I¡¯m all in. Worst case, we¡¯ll sell it and cut our losses, but I think it¡¯ll work."


    Melissa raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Another treasure?"


    *


    Roughly a couple of hours later, the family gathered together for dinner. The mansion¡¯s dining hall was warm and inviting, the soft glow of candlelight flickering over the table as the scents of a hearty meal filled the air. Kael, Laura, Amanda, Seraphina, and Melissa sat down together, enjoying their meal in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.


    Once everyone had eaten, they moved back to the living room, where Kael decided to bring up a topic he had discussed with Melissa just a while ago.


    "Melissa came up with a good idea," Kael began, glancing at his wife. "She suggested we invest in a shipyard that¡¯s up for sale. We would need significant capital for it, but I think it¡¯s worth pursuing. Amanda, could you look into it for us? I¡¯d like to get some information on the details."


    Amanda, who had been seated on the arm of a nearby chair, looked up thoughtfully, resting her chin on her hand. "A shipyard, huh?" She considered the suggestion, her eyes flicking to Seraphina, who raised an eyebrow in curiosity.


    Seraphina spoke up, a hint of concern in her voice. "How much are we talking about here? The funds would be substantial, wouldn¡¯t it?"


    Kael nodded. "Yes, it¡¯s a hefty amount. But, I have something that could help us. Let me show you."


    Kael reached into his pocket and pulled out the cat idol, its adamantine surface gleaming faintly in the candlelight. The moment he held it up, Seraphina¡¯s eyes widened, recognition dawning on her face. It was the same thing they picked up for free in the black market. Amanda also seemed to be surprised, but because of its color.


    "Is that...?" Amanda started, leaning forward slightly.


    Kael smiled, his tone calm. "Adamantine indeed. And, Seraphina, you can sense it too¡ªthe curse has been lifted."


    Seraphina, ever perceptive, nodded slowly. "Yes, indeed. The curse on it is gone. But how?"

 Chapter 56: The cat idol is the key to buy the shipyard?

    Kael reached into his other pocket and produced a small, elegant dagger made from the same metal¡ªadamantine. He held it out for everyone to see, its blade sharp and pristine, with intricate carvings on the hilt.


    Amanda¡¯s eyes flicked to the dagger, and recognition flashed across her face this time. "Wait, that¡¯s the dagger I bought for you at the auction. But how could it have...?"


    Kael nodded, confirming her thoughts. "Somehow, the dagger and the idol canceled each other¡¯s curses when I brought them together out of boredom, in that haunted mansion. It was a stroke of luck, really. I don¡¯t fully understand how it worked, but it did. The idol... the spirit that was sealed in the idol became my beast companion."


    Seraphina¡¯s expression shifted, and she looked at Kael with surprise. "Your beast companion? You mean... that cat?"


    Kael smiled faintly and summoned the black cat with a subtle gesture. The sleek, dark creature appeared from the shadows and landed gracefully on his shoulder, though it hissed in irritation at others. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "She is a bit unfriendly. So, don¡¯t mind it."


    Sending the cat back to his mindscape, Kael explained his plans. "I plan to reforge the idol into a new figurine before selling it at auction. That should help with the funds for the shipyard, if everything goes as planned."


    Amanda, who had been quiet until now, seemed to be considering the idol carefully. "I can have it appraised with a master appraiser tomorrow morning when I go to the palace. I¡¯ll make sure we get the best price for it."


    Kael hesitated for a moment, his fingers tightening around the idol. He glanced at Laura, who gave him a supportive nod. But before he could speak again, Amanda had already moved to take the idol from his hand.


    However, the moment Amanda held the idol, her facial expression turned ugly.


    "Wait¡ª" Kael started, but Amanda¡¯s grip faltered. In a split second, the idol slipped from her hands and crashed onto the wooden table. The resounding sound of the impact filled the room, followed by a sharp crack.


    Everyone froze as they looked down at the idol, which broke the wooden table with its sheer weight.


    "It¡¯s... it¡¯s so heavy," she remarked, her voice tinged with disbelief as she tried to lift it, but it proved far too heavy for her delicate frame.


    Seraphina frowned, crossing her arms and eyeing the idol curiously. She also bent down to try and lift it but failed just as Amanda had. "This is... strange," Seraphina murmured before taking a glance at her husband. "Kael, how come you were able to lift it so easily when its weight reduction spell has been broken?"


    Amanda smiled in amusement, taking a glance at her husband. She wondered what excuse will he give it this time.


    Kael, who had been sitting nearby with a calm expression, smiled as he picked up the idol effortlessly. His muscles barely strained as he carried it in his palm. "It¡¯s attached to my beast companion," Kael explained with a grin. "For me, it feels light, even though the weight-reducing spell on it is broken."


    Seraphina blinked, clearly taken aback by this explanation. "So... you¡¯re telling me that it¡¯s essentially weightless for you?"


    "That¡¯s right," Kael nodded. "It¡¯s still no problem for me, even if it¡¯s broken. I¡¯ll get it fixed."


    Amanda¡¯s eyes flicked to Kael, still skeptical as she thought. "For a person who had been maintaining perfect dual lives, it is no surprise if he was prepared for such blunders."


    Laura looked between the idol and Kael. Her curiosity was piqued, but she also knew the practicality of the situation. "So, for it to sell, not only do you have to sever the connection between your beast companion and the statue, but it should also be reforged."


    "Yes." Kael nodded again. "Your brother knows a Master blacksmith who could reforge the idol and reshape it so that we can sell it at auction."


    Amanda smiled, a hint of relief in her expression. "That¡¯s good to hear. It sounds like everything might work out after all."


    Seraphina crossed her arms, her lips turning into a smile. "Well, the cat is thrown away at you like a nightmare but it is going to change your fate instead. Indeed, as that person said in the letter, you have luck."


    "Hmm? What letter?" Laura looked at Seraphina. Amanda and Melissa also followed suit.


    Seraphina realized her blunder. As she was wondering what to say, Kael spoke. "It¡¯s nothing important. I just received a quest that needs a person to have luck."


    "Haha, yeah¡­" Seraphina awkwardly laughed.


    Amanda, having heard enough, turned to the group with a light laugh. "Well, I suppose it¡¯s settled, then. I¡¯ll start looking into the shipyard. Once you successfully reforge the Idol, I¡¯ll bring it to Master Kaiser for appraisal and get the highest offer possible."


    Kael nodded. "Thanks, Amanda. I trust you with this. I know it¡¯ll work out."


    Laura smiled softly at her husband, the warmth of the moment settling around them as they all continued discussing the next steps for their plans.


    The next day, the atmosphere in the Moonstone mansion was lively with anticipation. The four princesses were all ready for the grand royal banquet, their beauty shining brightly as they prepared to leave.


    Amanda, despite having the work at the palace, had taken the day off at Kael¡¯s request. He had wanted to go to the banquet with all of them, and they had all agreed to attend as a family.


    As the princesses entered the living room, Kael stood frozen for a moment, completely mesmerized by the sight of them all. "Woah." He exclaimed inwardly.


    They were absolutely stunning, each one of them radiating grace and elegance, their dresses enhancing their natural beauty.


    He couldn¡¯t help but think back to their wedding day, only three and a half months ago, and the joy he felt when he first stood before them as their husband. He felt an overwhelming sense of pride that these amazing women were his wives.


    Kael smiled to himself before stepping forward to join them. "Are we ready?" Kael asked softly, his eyes lingering on his wives.


    "We¡¯re ready when you are," Laura replied with a knowing smile, linking her arm through his.


    And with that, they headed off to the royal banquet, the four of them walking side by side like a vision of royalty.

 Chapter 57: The Royal Banquet (1/3)

    The royal banquet was held in a grand hall, filled with nobles, elite adventurers, and wealthy merchants. The atmosphere was a blend of excitement and prestige, with whispers of the latest news circulating among the guests.


    As Kael and his wives entered, they instantly became the center of attention, their presence commanding the room. The guests marveled at how elegant and regal they looked, drawing everyone¡¯s eyes as they made their way toward the Queen and Princess Artemis.


    When they arrived at the royal dais, Kael stepped forward, offering a polite bow. "Your Majesty, Princess Artemis," he greeted them with a respectful tone.


    The Queen, a regal figure in a stunning gown, smiled warmly at Kael and his wives. "Lord Moonstone, it¡¯s a pleasure to see you and my lovely daughters, all together. It¡¯s been some time since we¡¯ve had the chance to catch up. But, it would have been nice if you had come with all of your wives."


    As the princesses exchanged their glances, Kael replied. "I apologize in place of Shiera, Your Majesty. As she was stuck in the middle of a dungeon, she couldn¡¯t make it to the banquet."


    Remia Flamehart, the Queen, narrowed her eyes, disbelief was evident on her face. Yet, she nodded. "I understand. Anyway, meet our royal guest. Artemis Phoenix."


    As Kael shifted his gaze to Princess Artemis, the doll-looking teenager offered a polite nod and a warm smile. "It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you again, Lord Moonstone."


    Kael smiled, bowing his head slightly in acknowledgment. "No, It¡¯s my pleasure to be here, Princess. I¡¯m sure the evening will be filled with good company."


    The Queen glanced between Kael and Artemis with a hint of amusement. "I trust that you two have already become acquainted," she remarked, causing both Kael and Artemis to chuckle.


    "Yes, we met yesterday during our lunch," Artemis replied with a slight tilt of her head. She gazed at Laura. "Princess Laura."


    Laura smiled. "Your Highness¡­"


    With the pleasantries exchanged, the group continued to mingle, but Kael couldn¡¯t help but notice the way the other nobles and guests were looking at them. He could feel the weight of their curiosity and whispers as they walked further into the banquet hall.


    The banquet was in full swing, with guests mingling in groups, holding wine glasses, and enjoying appetizers.


    The air was filled with light chatter, laughter, and the sound of the orchestra playing soft classical music in the background.


    Children and teenagers were scattered around the hall, forming their own smaller groups and enjoying the festivities.


    Kael and Adam, surrounded by a group of men, found themselves at the center of attention. The other men were mostly husbands or sons of nobles, many of whom were well-established members of the royal court or wealthy merchants.


    The men seemed eager to hear Kael¡¯s thoughts on various matters, and soon enough, the conversation turned toward his marriage and personal life. As they spoke, their curiosity became apparent.


    "So, Mr. Kael," one of the men began with a casual tone, "what¡¯s it like being married to princesses? I must say, it¡¯s a rare sight to see a man with five wives, especially with princesses as your partners."


    Kael smiled politely, not letting the question faze him. "It¡¯s been a wonderful experience," he replied calmly. "My wives are strong, capable, and faithful, and I couldn¡¯t be happier."


    The conversation shifted smoothly, but soon, another guest, a man in his mid-forties with a slight grin on his face, brought up a subject that caused a shift in the mood of the group. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Faithful? I heard some pretty nasty rumor about Princess Shiera, though," the man said, his voice lowering as though he were telling a secret. "Apparently, she¡¯s not exactly fond of men. My daughter, who¡¯s a friend of the princess, once told me that Shiera was a sapphic. (Someone who likes the same gender). She had a crush on someone for quite some time now."


    Kael¡¯s smile remained, but his jaw tightened slightly at the mention of Shiera. The room went silent, the eyes of the men turning toward him, waiting for his reaction. Some of them were hoping for him to cause a ruckus.


    However, Kael dealt with it calmly. "Rumors are just that¡ªrumors," he said calmly, his tone steady. "Even if that were the case, it¡¯s not an issue. It¡¯s all in the past. She¡¯s not involved with anyone else at the moment, and that¡¯s what truly matters. Need I to remind you that my eldest wife, Amanda, has been married before as well."


    The other men nodded, and Kael could tell his composed response had silenced any further speculation on the matter.


    "Ultimately, what matters is that I¡¯m happy with my wives. They are loyal and strong, and they share a bond with me. That¡¯s all that¡¯s important for me," Kael continued, his voice firm and unwavering.


    His calmness surprised everyone in the group, but it also seemed to reassure them. Some even nodded in agreement, appreciating his maturity and poise.


    Prince Adam, standing nearby and watching the exchange closely, narrowed his eyes as he observed Kael¡¯s behavior.


    He knew Kael well enough to sense that something was off, even though Kael was keeping his emotions in check. The rumors about Shiera had clearly struck a nerve, but Kael had handled it with remarkable composure. Adam, however, couldn¡¯t help but feel that something was not right between Kael and Shiera. He could say when his friend was lying and earlier, he indeed covered up for his wife. Why Shiera isn¡¯t here? It¡¯s obvious for Adam who knew Shiera¡¯s personality very well.


    But, since it was a marital problem between Kael and his wife, Adam didn¡¯t think of himself to be involved in their matters and played dumb.


    Later, Kael and Adam found a quiet corner of the banquet hall to indulge in some appetizers, away from the ongoing chatter and laughter around them. The small bites of food were exquisite, but the conversation between them quickly turned to matters of love.


    "So, you¡¯re planning to woo Princess Artemis, huh?" Kael teased, his voice light and playful as he bit into a pastry. He raised an eyebrow, smirking at his friend.


    Adam, leaning back in his chair and sipping his wine, grinned sheepishly. "I¡¯m thinking about it, yeah. She¡¯s... intriguing. But that¡¯s not something I can talk about openly. I mean, she is a princess of the Nymira Empire, not a daughter of some Duchess. Not to mention, she was only 16. I wonder if she¡¯ll think of me as a creep if I try to woo her."


    "You talk as if you are 30 years old. Aren¡¯t you only like 22?" Kael chuckled, shaking his head. "But anyway, if you really want to pursue that little monster, you have my blessing." He waved his hand dismissively, as though the matter was of no consequence. "But you should know, she¡¯s no regular princess. Despite her playful demeanor, she¡¯s at the peak of the Legendary Realm. You¡¯ve got your work cut out for you."


    Adam raised an eyebrow at Kael. "I¡¯m a Tier-7, you know."


    Kael smirked and leaned in slightly. "You reached Tier-7 by ingesting a lot of spirit cores," he said with a pointed look. "And let¡¯s not forget how much you got beaten up by my sister."


    Adam winced at the memory.

 Chapter 58: The Royal Banquet (2/3)

    "Okay, don¡¯t bring her up. The memories with Mia were quite painful." Adam winced at the thought of remembering the original little monster of the imperial city.


    "And yet, you tried to woo her," Kael smirked. He raised his hand as though it was too complex to explain further. "If you weren¡¯t my best friend and an imperial prince to boot, Mia would¡¯ve beaten you to death a thousand times."


    Adam laughed, undeterred by the comment. "Hey, If I wasn¡¯t an imperial prince and your best buddy, do you think I would dare to chase her? And you know, despite her aggressive nature, Mia was too beautiful, and there¡¯s little to no competition back then."


    Kael stared at Adam for a long moment before nodding thoughtfully. "You¡¯ve got a point there." He then leaned back in his chair. "Alright, man. You want me to help you with this little crush of yours?"


    Adam leaned forward eagerly, a grin plastered on his face. "Absolutely. Any help you can offer would be great."


    "Okay, follow me."


    Kael and Adam eventually made their way across the grand hall toward Princess Artemis, who had been conversing with the royal preceptor.


    Artemis, who had been standing with her head slightly tilted as she listened intently, looked up at the approaching men. The moment her eyes landed on Kael, a soft smile spread across her face, one that was warm and inviting.


    "Kael!" she exclaimed with a touch of enthusiasm. Her smile grew wider as she recognized him. "Cousin! Have a drink with me." she greeted him warmly once again, this time a bit informally, her face a little flushed due to the wine, and it was a pleasant surprise to Adam, who hadn¡¯t been expecting that level of familiarity between them.


    Adam blinked and looked between the two, a confused frown forming on his face. "Cousin?" he asked, unsure of what had just transpired.


    Artemis¡¯ smile turned playful as she explained, "Yes, cousin. In a distant sense, of course. My grandfather was also from the Moonstone House. So, technically, we share blood." S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Adam raised his brow at this revelation but said nothing more. He had grown up with Kael, but he hadn¡¯t known the details about his extended family ties. Kael, seemingly used to such revelations, chuckled lightly.


    "Princess, you know Prince Adam. Her Majesty¡¯s only son," Kael introduced him, gesturing toward his friend. "We actually kinda grew up together. He¡¯s like a brother to me."


    Adam gave a slight bow, a little awkward but polite. "It¡¯s a pleasure, Your Highness."


    Kael, ever the proud brother-in-law, added with a grin, "You know, Adam is one of the top swordsmen in the Queendom. In terms of sword skills, atleast among men, he would be in the top 3. He is obsessed with the sword. You are a swordmaster, too. So, I thought you two could discuss sword techniques or whatever, I¡¯m not sure what you cultivators call them. I apologize."


    Adam flushed slightly, a little embarrassed by the exaggerated praise. "I¡¯m really not that great. Kael¡¯s just stretching things a bit."


    Artemis, clearly amused by Adam¡¯s modesty, raised an eyebrow. "Well, I¡¯m staying here as a royal guest for a few more days, and I¡¯ll be happy to see for myself. A demonstration sounds... intriguing." Her voice had a playful edge to it, as if she were already planning to see just how good Adam was with a sword.


    Adam, who had no way of backing out now, nodded with a faint chuckle. "Looks like I¡¯m on the spot."


    Kael gave his friend a reassuring pat on the back. "You¡¯ll do fine. Just don¡¯t get too cocky around her. The Princess may look sweet, but she can be tough when it comes to the sword."


    As the conversation continued, Laura, who had been observing from afar, narrowed her eyes.


    She noticed the interaction between Kael and Artemis, and the friendly yet somewhat calculating smile Artemis had when speaking to Kael. Her face looked quite flushed and her gaze lingered more on Kael.


    Laura¡¯s protectiveness aura lit up once again and she left her sisters, striding toward the Dias.


    "Well, as you know, my father, the generous man as he was, then secretly followed the poor orphan, hoping that the beggar would lead him to his home or a few more orphans. But, who could have expected that little beggar would turn out to be working for the dark mage? Bam! That¡¯s how my father managed to find the dark mage¡¯s hideout. Once he was captured, everything was over for Erebus¡­ We cracked down on the organization, destroying it to the bits. My father gained recognition and got an honor from the Empress. One thing led to another, and my father became the High Consort now. And all of that occurred from the simple generosity of a man who felt pity for a beggar on the streets. Some say that he was lucky, but I say that it is fate." Artemis was telling her father¡¯s story of how he got himself involved with the Empress, whether she was doing it on purpose or she was just an oversharing type. Kael didn¡¯t know, but the story was interesting, and he and Adam intently listened to her but then Kael suddenly felt a familiar tug at his sleeve. He turned his body slightly to look at the source.


    It was Laura, her expression unreadable, but the slight frown on her face said enough.


    "Dear," she said, her voice a touch sharper than usual, "I need to talk with you."


    Kael turned his head to glance at her, catching the concern and subtle jealousy in her eyes. He could see the storm brewing, but he quickly gave her an apologetic smile. "Come on, love, let¡¯s take a walk," he said, his voice low, but firm enough that Laura could tell it wasn¡¯t a suggestion.


    Before Laura could protest, Kael gently took her hand and led her away from the gathering. Once they were far enough from prying eyes and ears, Laura didn¡¯t hesitate to voice out her displeasure this time. "Haven¡¯t I told you before not to overly familiarize yourself with her?" She said, her tone sharp with restrained emotion. "And yet, you¡¯re over here laughing and talking all chummy with her?"


    "Wha¡­" Kael blinked, caught off guard.

 Chapter 59: The Royal Banquet (3/3)

    Laura had always been protective of him, but her fire was always directed at others, not him. It was never him. But suddenly, he became the target of her scolding. He stared at her, searching her face, before reaching up to cup her cheeks in concern. "What¡¯s wrong?" He asked softly.


    Laura scoffed, but her eyes burned with something deeper. "Do you know what those people are saying earlier?" She demanded. "That my husband was too greedy and the same as any other man out there. That five beautiful wives aren¡¯t enough for him, and now he is chasing after a foreign princess, too." She exhaled sharply, her hands clenching at her sides. "Tell me, Kael. What do you want me to do? Do you want me to make a scene and argue with them?"


    Kael stared at her in silence. He let out a deep breath, leaning down a bit, and whispered to her. "Tell them that I¡¯m trying to help your brother," he said, his voice calm yet carrying an air of reassurance.


    Laura¡¯s eyes flicked over to Adam, who was now standing a bit awkwardly beside Princess Artemis. He looked embarrassed but somewhat pleased as he continued to chat with her. Laura let out a small sigh. "I should have known," she muttered. "I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s just... I don¡¯t know what came over me all of a sudden. I¡¯m sorry. When we heard those words, Eldest Sister just laughed it off, but I got out of control. I¡­ I¡­"


    "Shhh..." Kael smiled, pulling her closer and brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I understand. So, calm down." He added with a soft chuckle, "Besides, do you think I would fall for anyone when I have this incredibly beautiful wife with me?"


    Laura blushed, her cheeks reddening. "Okay, you can help him out. That goofy head doesn¡¯t know how to talk with girls at all."


    Kael nodded, giving her a brief kiss on the forehead. "Now, let¡¯s go back before Adam becomes too nervous and passes out."


    A minute later, while Laura returned to her group, Adam approached Kael, a broad grin on his face. The embarrassment had faded, replaced with excitement. "Kael!" he said, clapping him on the back with enthusiasm. "Thank you! I was... I was so nervous, but now I feel like I have a real chance!" He looked genuinely grateful.


    Kael chuckled, pleased to see Adam so excited. "I guess it is a good thing I stepped away then. If you can deal with her alone, don¡¯t waste your time. Go and strike when the iron is hot."


    "Yeah, you bet." Adam¡¯s smile widened, but then a moment later, his smile faltered slightly as he leaned in closer, lowering his voice so no one else could hear. "But... are you sure there¡¯s nothing between you and the princess? I mean... You two seem awfully close."


    Kael paused for a moment, surprised by the question but ultimately amused. He shrugged casually. "Adam, I¡¯m a married man, and I¡¯m happy," he said, his tone light yet firm.


    Adam arched an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with that answer. "Except you¡¯re married to five women, not one," he pointed out with a knowing smirk. "And don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t notice the way she looks at you. Somehow, it feels like you two go all the way back."


    Kael smiled, this time with a hint of fondness in his eyes for his brother-in-law. He clapped Adam¡¯s shoulder in a brotherly gesture. "You¡¯re a good friend, Adam. But no, there¡¯s nothing going on between me and Princess Artemis. I¡¯ve had enough flirty gazes from women of all kinds over the years to know when it¡¯s serious or just a game. And she had neither."


    He leaned in slightly, his voice quieter now. "And I also beg you to woo her. Or your sister seems to be ready to flay me alive."


    "Alright, alright," Adam replied, letting out a grin.


    Kael gave him a good-natured laugh, clapping him on the back again. "It¡¯s all good, Adam. Now, go talk to your princess and show her what you¡¯ve got. Just don¡¯t go falling too hard too fast, okay?" he added with a wink.


    Adam snorted, looking much more relaxed now. "I¡¯ll try. Thanks again, Brother." With a final clap on his shoulder, he turned toward Princess Artemis, who was watching the exchange with a small smile, awaiting his return.


    Kael watched his brother-in-law go, shaking his head in amusement. It felt good to help Adam out, but it also reminded him of how delicate the situation could become. Relationships¡ªwhether romantic or political¡ªcould easily become a tangled mess. He had to stay focused on his own family and his duties.


    As Kael walked toward a group of men who were all conversing something, he couldn¡¯t help but glance once more at Artemis, who had resumed speaking with the royal preceptor. But then, his gaze suddenly captured the Queen¡¯s gaze, which seemed like it was aimed at him. Their gazes were met from afar, and Remia gave a small nod as she slowly raised the glass as if she was greeting him, but instead of taking a sip, she put it down on the table.


    Kael¡¯s eyes narrowed for a moment. "Another mission?" He muttered under his breath. He forced a smile and turned around to walk away. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As time passed by, the royal banquet slowly began to wind down. Many of the guests were saying their goodbyes, but Kael and his wives remained seated, as per the Queen¡¯s request. She had invited them to stay for a private dinner afterward, and Kael, as well as the princesses, had accepted.


    Once the formalities were over, the guests were escorted to their respective rooms. However, just as Adam was about to leave, Artemis called his name. She stood near the grand doorway, a mischievous glint in her eyes. However, the flush on her cheeks gave away the fact that she wasn¡¯t completely sober at the moment.


    "Prince Adam," she called, her voice sharp enough to stop him mid-step. "I would like to see you prepare yourself for a swordfight. I changed my mind. We¡¯ll meet again in one hour. Get ready."


    Adam blinked, clearly surprised by her sudden challenge. "But¡­ It¡¯s already going to be dark by then," he said, glancing out the window, where the twilight sky was darkening.


    Artemis raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed tightly to her chest. "We can spar indoors. Surely, you¡¯re not afraid of fighting in a little dim light?" She added with a teasing smirk, "Or if you¡¯re not interested, I¡¯ll let it go."


    Adam hesitated for a moment, his pride and competitive nature kicking in. "No, no. I¡¯m up for it." He straightened his back, determination flashing in his eyes. "I¡¯ll be ready."


    Artemis laughed, a light, melodic sound that echoed in the quiet room. "Good. I¡¯ll be looking forward to it, then."


    As she turned around to walk away, Adam mumbled. "Well, I¡¯m doomed. No Sh*t."


    After a while, Kael left his guest room and walked all the way to the royal chambers on the other side of the palace.


    He was led to the Queen¡¯s chamber. The guards at the door stopped him.


    But then Kael told them about the Queen¡¯s summon. One of them entered the chambers and came out after a while.


    "Her Majesty wishes to meet you. Please¡­" The guard opened one-half of the door. Kael nodded.


    He stepped inside and the door was closed right away.


    "You are here, my shadow. I was about to summon you out of impatience, you know," A voice called out to him.


    Kael turned his head toward the source and went down to one of his knees, resting his elbow on the knee and bowing down. "K greets Her Majesty."

 Chapter 60: Kael and the Queen’s private talk

    The atmosphere shifted as Kael entered a deeper part of the chambers. The walls were adorned with regal tapestries, and the soft glow of candles illuminated the room. A quiet, almost solemn air hung over the space, as the Queen had requested that the guards and servants leave, and a noise-canceling spell was cast to ensure their conversation remained private.


    Kael sat across from her, feeling the weight of the moment. The Queen¡¯s gaze was unwavering as she fixed him with a piercing look. "Kael," she began, her voice low but carrying authority, "I want to talk to you about your marriage life."


    Kael¡¯s lips twitched, but he kept his expression neutral. "Your Majesty," he replied diplomatically, "It¡¯s going well. My wives are strong, and we share a bond that is built on mutual respect."


    The Queen¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. "Save your diplomatic answers to the formal meeting, son. Anyway, I¡¯m not interested in your marital issues with Shiera or Seraphina. That is for you to figure out." Her gaze hardened, and she leaned in a little, lowering her voice to a more personal tone. "I only care about one thing."


    Kael held her gaze, already sensing where this was going.


    Her expression didn¡¯t fail his expectations, almost amused. "When," she asked, her voice cool and deliberate, "do you plan on giving me a grandchild?"


    Kael paused, choosing his words carefully. "I¡­ We need more time, Your Majesty," he replied, feeling the weight of her question. He had already discussed this with Amanda and Laura. He had no desire to explain himself to their mother, too.


    The Queen let out a short scoff, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Time for what? To develop that false career or yours?"


    Kael froze, his eyes narrowing for a moment before forcing himself to calm down.


    She continued, her amusement faded and her gaze was now hard as steel. "Do I remind you that You¡¯re an assassin, Kael? You are my shadow. The Queen¡¯s shadow¡ªK, the enemy of the throne and the guardian angel of the masses."


    Her voice softened a bit, but it was no less commanding. "I trained you. I gave you my full support so that you could deliver justice to the people I cannot do as a Queen. Whatever else you do as Kael Moonstone, whether it is as a guild clerk or now a merchant, is just a cover¡ªa necessary illusion so that no one would dare to even think that you are linked to K, the dreaded assassin that will strike fear in the hearts of criminals and corrupted nobles." She then tilted her head, continuing to speak. "You can pretend you want to be a merchant, a nobleman, a businessman, or even a househusband, whatever you like. But, don¡¯t use that false career as an excuse." S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael¡¯s expression hardened slightly.


    Queen Remia smirked slightly. "If you want, I can arrange a better public image for you."


    Kael remained silent for a moment. He had already thought about this, and the Queen¡¯s words weren¡¯t news to him. "It¡¯s not just about a public image, Your Majesty," he said, meeting her gaze without hesitation. "I want to become the richest individual in the Queendom."


    "Richest individual in the Queendom?" Remia was taken aback by his sudden declaration. So, it wasn¡¯t just a cover-up. Does he really want to be a merchant?


    "Why?" She couldn¡¯t help but ask. A person who wants to help the citizens, a person who wants to make the imperial city a place free of crime, suddenly wants to earn money. She didn¡¯t understand his logic.


    "I know the value of money now, more than ever," Kael replied, recalling the weight of his family¡¯s debts. "Money is the thing that forced me into this marriage in the first place. A peak-stage legendary assassin like me... I didn¡¯t need to marry into royalty. But those debts¡ªthey made me do it. 127 million gold coins. The money forced me to bow down to your offer, Your Majesty."


    The Queen regarded him silently for a moment, her sharp eyes never leaving his. "Do you know why I gave you that offer? There is a big reason for it, and it is not just because I want my daughters to stay together."


    "I didn¡¯t question your reasoning back then, Your Majesty," Kael said with a steady voice, his eyes reflecting the depth of his thoughts. "And I certainly wouldn¡¯t do it now. My marriage, no matter how unconventional, is my own to manage. I have no complaints. Not even when your two daughters, with their dragon bloodlines, demand my attention, and I have to comply. Or when your youngest daughter insults me because of my perceived weakness and refuses to acknowledge our marriage. That¡¯s a problem I¡¯ll solve in my own way."


    He paused, allowing the words to sink in, his gaze never leaving the Queen¡¯s piercing stare. "But if I have any male children in the future, I won¡¯t allow them to be submissive to circumstances. I can¡¯t control power or authority¡ªit¡¯s not in my hands¡ªbut money¡­ Money can be earned by even the weakest person. A place like the Royal Bank can force a monarch like you to compromise when the entire Queedom trembles at the thought of your anger. Money is power, Your Majesty. All one needs is an opportunity to earn it. And if there isn¡¯t any opportunity, I will try my best to create such opportunities. But, no matter what, I will become the richest individual on this land. And fret not, I will not back away from my responsibility as your shadow. My goal is to create an organization of shadows that can spread all over your Queendom to clean up the weeds. And when I have that kind of money, I can certainly accomplish it."


    The Queen remained silent for a moment, her expression unreadable. Kael¡¯s words were clear and unyielding. There was no anger in his tone, only a quiet, determined confidence that set him apart from those who sought power through politics or the sword.


    The Queen sighed in the end, her shoulders slumping slightly as if she were already weary of Kael¡¯s unwavering stance. "I didn¡¯t call you here to argue about your beliefs, Kael," she said, her voice softening but still carrying the weight of command. "Fine, do whatever you want. I won¡¯t come in your way. What I have to say is more pressing. There are four things I need to discuss with you. Let¡¯s get to the main issues."


    Kael nodded, listening closely, aware that the Queen¡¯s words were never to be taken lightly.


    "First"

 Chapter 61: The Queen’s three demands and a mission

    "First," she began, her tone firm, "I want a grandchild. I want to hear the news that my daughter, one of your wives, is pregnant. I don¡¯t care which one of them. Just get it done. Whether you want to focus on building your career or not, I still want to get the job done within a reasonable time frame. Find a way to balance your marriage life and your career. This is an order from your mother-in-law."


    Kael met her gaze calmly. He had expected this. The Queen¡¯s desire for a grandchild was well-known, and he knew that she wasn¡¯t much of an understanding character. "Understood, Your Majesty," he said quietly, his mind already considering the implications of this request. If it is just one child, it isn¡¯t a problem, but the problem is to choose which wife. Both Laura and Amanda want to be mothers. If she chooses one, he has to make the other one pregnant too. Melissa is a better choice. But, neither she expressed anything about becoming a mother nor he discussed these things with her yet. So, he wasn¡¯t sure whether she wanted to become one in the first place.


    Meanwhile, The Queen¡¯s voice then shifted, becoming colder and more calculating. "Second," she continued, "is about Amanda¡¯s abduction. I strongly suspect that the Witch Tower was behind it. Their motives likely stem from Amanda¡¯s dragon bloodline rather than money. If it was the money, they wouldn¡¯t have returned 200 million, which Amanda paid for the potion, back to the imperial palace as compensation. But what can the dragon bloodline help them with? Or is there something more I haven¡¯t figured out yet? Anyway, I want you to keep a close eye on both Laura and Amanda. If it is the bloodline they want, Laura also possesses the same. You must be vigilant at all times."


    Kael¡¯s expression hardened at the mention of his wives¡¯ safety. "They are my wives, Your Majesty. Anyone who dares harm them will meet my blade. You don¡¯t have to worry about it," he said, his voice low but filled with determination.


    The Queen¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile, approval was evident in her eyes. "Good," she said simply. "I knew you would say that."


    Kael braced himself as the Queen¡¯s focus shifted again. "Third," she began, "is Princess Artemis. There are matters involving the upcoming emergence of the Tower of Zurin, and no matter the cost, we must secure one of the celestial treasures." S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as he processed the information. The celestial treasures were legendary artifacts, highly sought after, and the Queen¡¯s desire to obtain one of them was obvious.


    "Of the six treasures that have been claimed," the Queen explained, her voice dropping into a more strategic tone. "Three of them are in the hands of the three great empires; two are with demigods, and the last one, the pendant, was lost in history. If we acquire the Sword of Zurin, we can transform Elyria into an Empire."


    Kael considered the implications of this. The Queen¡¯s words left no room for hesitation or doubt. However, the sword of Zurin is needed by his client, who knows his sister¡¯s whereabouts. So, yeah, he wasn¡¯t sure whether to accept this mission from the Queen.


    Meanwhile, the Queen¡¯s voice softened, though the sharpness never left. "You have survived countless attempts on your life, Kael. From your childhood to your time as Assassin K, you have avoided death more times than I care to count. You were drowned by your ancestral debt." She paused, her eyes narrowing as she looked directly at him. "But fate brought my daughters to you. In a way, you are fortunate. As they say, only those who are truly fortunate by fate are the ones qualified to claim the treasures of Zurin. I think you have a solid chance."


    Kael¡¯s mind briefly flashed to the events of a few weeks ago¡ªwhen he went after Amanda. The latter offered the elixir to him and helped him make a breakthrough to Tier-9. Then, a few days ago, the encounter with the necromancer¡ªwhich started as sexual harassment and destruction of his mana core but ended with an unexpected offer from the necromancer.


    "Lucky," he murmured, almost to himself. "I suppose you could say that. I¡¯ve had my share of brushes with death." His thoughts briefly lingered more on the necromancer. A demigod who had almost killed him but then offered him the chance to become her disciple. It was a strange turn of fate.


    The Queen studied him for a long moment, before offering a slight nod. "Yes, lucky indeed. But luck won¡¯t always be enough. You¡¯ll need to be more than lucky if you want to survive what¡¯s to come. But, I¡¯m sure that with your strength, you can easily tackle down any of your opponents as long as they were not demigods."


    Kael¡¯s mind was already racing with thoughts about the sword, but before the Queen could speak again, he spoke. "Your Majesty," he began, his voice even but with a sharp edge of curiosity, "I¡¯m curious... what would you be willing to offer me, just a number, if I were to bring it back to you? I know that a treasure like that is priceless, but still, I just want some clarity so I can understand how much you are willing to go far. I mean, this is actually the first mission you gave me that doesn¡¯t involve delivering someone justice. And as you know, I have new ambitions."


    The Queen¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change; she was always calm and composed. Her eyes remained fixed on Kael as she answered with a cool tone. "It depends on whom you are when you accomplish the task. If you deliver me the sword as K, I can give anything from my personal collection, magic tomes, weapons, wealth, artifacts, or a favor if you want. And if you deliver me the sword as Kael Moonstone, I can give you a significant portion of the royal treasury¡ªwhich, by the way, hundreds of millions of gold coins. I can give Moonstone House a Dukedom to rule or even go against the tradition and make an exception for you, making you the first-ever male to hold a Noble title in the history of the Flamehart Dynasty. Whatever you name it, it will be yours."


    Kael¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile at her response, understanding the weapon¡¯s importance to the Queen. "Fair enough. But I¡¯ll come to you with a counteroffer once I¡¯ve accomplished the task," he said, already contemplating the reward he would demand¡­ if he can accomplish it, that is.


    The Queen nodded slightly, acknowledging his answer with a brief and silent understanding.


    With a small chuckle, Kael added, "Now, if you wouldn¡¯t mind, what is the final thing you need from me, Your Majesty?"


    The Queen didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, she reached over and tossed a scroll toward Kael.


    He caught it in reflex, unrolling the parchment to reveal a sketch of a woman he recognized: Marquessa Rowena. His brow furrowed slightly as he studied the image. This was the same woman he had encountered a couple of days ago, and he taught her a lesson. In fact, she was one of the people he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to kill, but he couldn¡¯t so far, upholding his principles so far.


    "The Marquessa..." Kael muttered under his breath as the Queen spoke, "My spies have informed me that she¡¯s planning something big here in the city. She¡¯s made contact with the Clowns of Ark¡ªan organization I¡¯m sure you¡¯re familiar with. A King Clown has even been sent to assist her. It was confirmed."


    Kael¡¯s expression hardened as the Queen¡¯s words sank in. The Clowns of Ark were a notorious and dangerous group, and a King Clown was among the most deadly of their ranks. The weakest would be in the legendary realm but it¡¯s their wide array of skills and their sheer experience he was worried about.


    The Queen continued. "I don¡¯t know what exactly Rowena intends to do, but her decision to involve such a dark organization¡ªis, in my eyes, an act of betrayal against the throne. I want her gone."


    As Kael met her gaze, the Queen¡¯s tone turned even colder, as if she was preparing Kael for the gravity of the task. "Killing Rowena will not be simple, Kael. The King Clown will be there to protect her. She will be no ordinary foe, and it will be difficult to take her down. However¡­" She paused, a faint glimmer of something more calculating in her eyes. "If you succeed, I will reward you as usual. I¡¯ll offer you 100,000 gold coins for Rowena¡¯s death. If you manage to kill the King Clown as well, I will increase the reward by 500,000 more."


    Kael¡¯s gaze narrowed slightly, intrigued by the offer, but the Queen wasn¡¯t finished.


    "However," she continued with a slow smile, "If you manage to capture the King Clown alive, the reward will be quadrupled. I¡¯ll give you 2 million gold coins. So, are you up for it? Unlike usual, I¡¯m giving you a choice this time because of the risk this mission carries."

 Chapter 62: Master Blacksmith Orren

    Kael considered the offer for only a moment. He had already been contemplating whether it was okay to sell off the statue in order to raise funds for the shipyard, and this mission presented the perfect opportunity. With a recent breakthrough to Tier-9, the idea of confronting such powerful enemies no longer intimidated him.


    He stood up, a determined look on his face as he spoke. "Consider it done, Your Majesty. I¡¯ll take the mission."


    The Queen gave him a nod of approval, but her expression remained unreadable. "I trust you¡¯ll handle it with the same efficiency you¡¯ve demonstrated in the past, my shadow."


    Kael left her chambers, determined to make this mission successful. He was confident about taking out Rowena either way, but his main goal was the King Clown.


    As Kael returned to his room, he was surprised to find Adam waiting for him, looking flustered and comically distressed.


    "Kael!" Adam cried out dramatically, his hands clutching his chest. "I¡¯m doomed!"


    Kael raised an eyebrow, unsure of what was going on. "What¡¯s the matter with you now?"


    "I¡¯ve got a sparring match with Princess Artemis in thirty minutes!" Adam exclaimed, clearly feeling the pressure. "I don¡¯t want to do this! Help out your dear brother-in-law. I feel like I have bragged too much while trying to impress her. You have to help me."


    Kael laughed lightly at his brother-in-law¡¯s desperation. "What do you want me to do? It¡¯s not like I¡¯m a swordmaster or anything, to fight her in your place."


    Adam¡¯s eyes widened as he quickly responded, "I know that! But I need you to think of a way to postpone the sparring session without making me look like a coward! Please, Kael, I¡¯m begging you!"


    Kael chuckled again, shaking his head in amusement. "You want me to come up with a way for you to get out of a swordfight with Princess Artemis, without looking bad in front of her? This should be interesting."


    Adam nodded intensely, his face full of earnestness. "Yes, please! Think of something! I don¡¯t want to embarrass myself. If I lose badly against a 16-year-old, my mother won¡¯t let me off easily either. She will throw me into a dungeon to improve my skills."


    "Hmm¡­ that¡¯s possible." Kael leaned back with a smirk, already considering the best way to approach this situation.


    It seemed like he would have to get creative if he wanted to help Adam out of his self-inflicted mess.


    Kael paused for a moment as something popped up in his head, thinking of turning this situation to his advantage. A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes as he finally came up with a plan.


    "I¡¯ve got an idea," Kael said with a grin. "Come with me."


    Without wasting any more time, Kael stood up and began heading out of the room. Adam followed him, looking unsure but hopeful. As they walked through the hallways, Kael casually passed a message to a servant.


    "Please deliver this to Princess Artemis," he instructed the servant. "Tell her that Prince Consort Kael Moonstone and Prince Adam had to leave urgently to assist a friend. The friend was imprisoned by a debtor, and he called for Adam¡¯s help through a communication scroll. Apologize on our behalf, and mention that we¡¯ll make it up to her later."


    The servant nodded and quickly set off toward Princess Artemis.


    At the same time, Kael sent a message to his wives. It was similar in tone but without the apology, simply informing them that he and Adam were stepping out on a personal matter.


    "Now, let¡¯s see how this plays out," Kael said with a quiet chuckle as they made their way toward their true destination.


    They had both put on disguises, ensuring no one would recognize them, and their destination was a smithy, located more than ten kilometers away. This was a place Kael had visited a couple of times, but today, the purpose of the visit was to meet with an acquaintance of Adam¡¯s¡ªa master blacksmith by the name of Orren. Originally, he was supposed to ask Adam for a favor, but luckily, the situation favored him instead.


    Upon arriving at the smithy, the heavy door creaked open, and the smell of molten metal and the sound of hammering greeted them.


    The master blacksmith, Orren, was a legendary realm warrior in his own right, known for his craft and strength. He looked up from his work as Kael and Adam entered.


    "Ah, Your Highness! It¡¯s been a while!" Orren said, his voice warm with recognition. He wiped his hands on a cloth before offering a hearty handshake to both Kael and Adam. "You haven¡¯t been coming for the repair lately. Changed the smithy?"


    Adam gave a sheepish grin and shrugged. "I¡¯ve been busy with books, actually. No sword training lately. I¡¯ve been trying to learn how to incorporate magic into my sword techniques."


    Orren raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You wish to become a magic swordsman, huh? That¡¯s a fine pursuit. Though, I can¡¯t imagine that¡¯s an easy road."


    "It¡¯s not," Adam replied, sounding a bit sheepish. "That¡¯s why I¡¯m here. I was hoping you could take a look at my sword. I need it to be in top shape if I want to continue my studies with magic."


    Orren nodded. "No problem. I¡¯ll take a look at it. I¡¯m an expert on swords and their enchantments." He motioned for them to follow him deeper into the smithy.


    Kael stood off to the side for a moment, observing the blacksmith¡¯s workspace. Orren was known for crafting some of the finest weapons in the kingdom, and he had the reputation to back it up. The smithy was a testament to that, with various weapons hanging on the walls, each one more impressive than the last.


    "While you¡¯re here, Master Orren," Kael said, stepping forward, "I have a request for you. There¡¯s something I need your help with."


    "Hmm?"


    As Orren momentarily shifted his gaze from Adam¡¯s sword to Kael, the latter took a moment to pull the cat idol from his storage ring. He placed it on the workbench in front of the master blacksmith, Orren, who immediately examined it with a sharp eye. Nothing happened to the workbench because of the weight reduction spell Kael put on it, not intending to let history repeat again.


    "I need this reforged," Kael said casually, his tone calm yet purposeful.


    Orren glanced at the idol for a moment, then looked at Kael with a raised brow. "That¡¯s adamantium alloy, at least three-fifths of it," he noted, his tone appreciative of the material. He picked up the idol and ran his fingers over its surface. "Strange, though. There¡¯s something binding this thing. But the spirit inside¡ªit¡¯s not present anymore."


    "Yeah, it¡¯s because of this..." Kael raised his hand and summoned the black cat, which landed on his shoulder with a soft hiss. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The presence of the cat immediately seemed to affect the atmosphere in the room. Orren recoiled slightly, his face pale with unease. "Dismiss it, now," he said in a strained voice, a shiver running down his spine. "That thing... Whatever spirit you¡¯re bound to has an overwhelming killing intent. I¡¯ve felt a presence like that before... It¡¯s dangerous."


    Kael, unfazed by Orren¡¯s reaction, nodded and sent the black cat back to its realm with a flick of his wrist. He watched as Orren composed himself, visibly relieved. "You should consider visiting the church, purifying its aura." Orren said, still shaken, "It¡¯s not something that should linger around. How a Tier-1 like you is still fine is quite mysterious to me, too."


    Kael considered the suggestion for a moment and replied immediately. "Maybe it is because I¡¯m too weak that it didn¡¯t care to influence me."


    "Could be." Orren shrugged. He then examined the idol again, rubbing his thumb over the smooth surface. "Severing the connection with the beast, though," he said, "that¡¯s no issue. Once I melt this statue down into its raw material, the link will sever itself."


    Kael shook his head slightly. "Melting down adamantium is no simple task. It requires special flames. I trust you know how to handle that?"


    Orren smirked with a glint of pride in his eyes. With a flick of his wrist, green flames¡ªunlike anything Kael had seen before¡ªappeared in his palms. The flames danced and crackled, emitting an almost eerie light. "Don¡¯t worry about that," Orren said confidently. "Leave it to the experts. I¡¯ve worked with adamantium before."


    Adam nudged Kael with his elbow. "You never told me that your family has treasured this precious."


    Kael shrugged. "Well, let¡¯s just say I¡¯m lucky." He then shifted his gaze to the master blacksmith, who looked a bit fascinated while closely examining the idol. "Master Orren, once it¡¯s melted and its connection is severed with the spirit, I want it reforged into a new shape¡ªa dragon. But make it with five claws, and paint it gold, the same as my house¡¯s crest."


    Orren took the idol from Kael¡¯s hands and turned it over on his own. "A dragon, five claws, gold paint... I can do that. You can come back tomorrow."


    Kael leaned back, watching Orren prepare the idol for the reforging process. "What do you charge for something like this?" he asked, curious. After spending away 50,000 to the information guild to look for the fellow that Duchess Leona wants and also his sister, he roughy had about 115,000 gold coins as Assassin K¡¯s secret savings. If this blacksmith says he needs more, he will have to depend on his ongoing assassination mission. In the worst case, he would have to take a debt from Adam and give back the amount after selling the statue.


    However, little did he expect Orren to wave off the question with a casual hand. "You¡¯re working with adamantium," he said with a grin. "I rarely get to work with something this precious. I¡¯ll do it for free."


    "Wha¡­"

 Chapter 63: Debating cultural differences at the Dinner table

    Kael¡¯s eyebrows raised, genuinely surprised by the blacksmith¡¯s generosity. "Thank you," he said, not intending to be any modest and trying to force the guy to take the fees. He doesn¡¯t want to pay 100,000 gold coins for fake modesty.


    With that, the two of them spent the next while exploring the smithy, admiring the weapons displayed on the walls. The quiet clinking of metal, the heat of the forge, and Orren¡¯s focused energy made for an oddly calming environment. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael wandered around the smithy, his mind preoccupied with his tasks ahead. Though the displays of weapons were impressive, none of them truly piqued his interest. Adam, on the other hand, was far more excited. His gaze shifted across the room until it landed on a sword that immediately captured his attention.


    The blade was sleek, made of black titanium, and the hilt was intricately designed with a pattern of swirling winds. Embedded into the blade was a small wind elemental crystal, shimmering faintly with energy.


    Adam picked up the sword, feeling its weight. "This... this is perfect," he muttered to himself.


    "What perfect? It is too weird?" Kael rolled his eyes, looking at his friend¡¯s reaction. It was an unusual weapon¡ªwind elemental crystals were typically used in magic bows, not swords. Most users of wind magic became archers due to the natural synergy between the elements and the long-range precision of bows.


    Adam turned to Kael with a grin. "I¡¯m getting it. It¡¯ll be useful for my training."


    Kael raised an eyebrow, impressed by Adam¡¯s enthusiasm. "Are you sure? That sword doesn¡¯t come cheap."


    Adam nodded without hesitation. "I¡¯ll take it. 75,000 gold coins isn¡¯t too much for a weapon like this. It¡¯ll be worth it."


    Kael watched him hand over the money and make the purchase without haggling around, then followed him out of the smithy.


    Time passed quickly, and by the time Kael and Adam returned to the palace, it was nearly time for dinner. They both took some time to freshen up in their respective rooms before heading to the royal dining hall separately.


    The dinner gathering didn¡¯t have any strangers. Princess Artemis, her teacher Dragamir, the Queen, the four princesses, Kael, Prince Adam, and the imperial preceptor, Isolde Searvale, were all present. The meal was elegant and filled with a wide array of delicacies that would satisfy even the most discerning palate.


    However, there was one guest whose presence stood out to Kael, one he had not yet met this closely: Isolde, the imperial preceptor. She was an elf, a demigod realm being, and her very presence was a rarity. Elves, especially those of such a high realm, were rarely seen outside of their homeland, the Sylvalis Kingdom, and to have one in the royal court was remarkable.


    Isolde¡¯s pearl white hair cascaded like a waterfall down her back, her ethereal beauty making her seem almost otherworldly. Her pointed ears, delicate features, and piercing green eyes were a sharp contrast to the human faces around the table. However, it seemed like no one even gazed at her. Even Dragamir, a fellow demigod, seemed like he was averting her gaze when she sat directly opposite him.


    Kael, ever the observer, studied her closely. He had heard rumors about the imperial preceptor, the very person who could pressure Witch Tower to give 200 million gold coins in compensation for Amanda¡¯s abduction. No one knows her true age, and no one lived to tell a tale of their battle against her.


    However, Kael didn¡¯t see that ounce of suppressiveness that demigods carry or that penetrative gaze those demigods have in their eyes as if they can see through one¡¯s secrets. She sat there like a calm deity, enjoying the offerings given by the mortals in silence.


    As the dinner progressed, the conversation naturally drifted toward the interests and affairs of the attendees. Remia¡ªThe Queen, ever curious, took the opportunity to steer the conversation toward Princess Artemis¡¯s personal life and the state of her Empire while keeping things casual and diplomatic.


    They discussed the finer aspects of culture, with the Queen asking Artemis about the various foods, wines, arts, and music that were popular in her Empire. Artemis, with a warm smile, shared stories of the Nymira Empire¡¯s culinary specialties and their famous wines, which were known for their smooth, aromatic qualities.


    The Princess spoke fondly of the music of her homeland, describing instruments that Kael had never heard of before and the delicately layered melodies that seemed to carry deep emotion in every note.


    The Queen, not one to be outdone in matters of culture, began recounting the history of the Queendom of Elyria and its relationship with the Nymira Empire.


    She spoke about the early days of the alliance, which had been forged six centuries ago during a time of crisis. The Crown Dynasty of Elyria was struggling, teetering on the edge of collapse due to attacks from the Dragons.


    At the time, Nymira had been a relatively small Queendom itself, not yet the powerful Empire it is today.


    The Queen explained how their relationship, built on trade rather than military or political motivations, had helped both realms weather the turbulent times.


    They had supported each other in times of need, trading goods, knowledge, and resources¡ª with little to no military conflict between them and even fewer political games.


    And time passed, Nymira grew to become an Empire under the Phoenix Dynasty while Elyria went through a change of dynasties. Flamehart Dynasty has little to no relationship with the Phoenix Dynasty, but the friendly relations are still there.


    Princess Artemis listened attentively, nodding along as the Queen spoke. When the conversation turned to the royal dynamics within Nymira, the Princess casually mentioned, "The Phoenix Dynasty, our ruling family, never practiced political marriages. We have always believed in love, and most of us live by the principle of monogamy. Some opt for bigamy. But polygamy was out of the question back at our home. Imagine my surprise when I heard five of the six imperial princesses were wedded to a single noble."


    Kael couldn¡¯t help but raise an eyebrow in her last few sentences. It was a bold statement, especially in the context of politics, as if she was taking a sly dig at the Queen, but given Artemis¡¯ status, he was aware that the Queen wouldn¡¯t take it to heart.


    However, contrary to his expectations, Remia replied with a light-hearted yet pointed remark about the demographics of their two nations. "Well, Princess, the gender ratio in Nymira was considerably different from that of Elyria. In Nymira, the male population was much higher, with a ratio of 1.8 males for every female. Obviously, it would seem unfair if polygamy was practiced. On the other hand, in Elyria, the female-to-male ratio was far worse than the world average¡ªaround 3.2 females for every male. If we start practicing monogamy, out of 1000 females, nearly 700 women would be left with no partners."


    Princess Artemis shrugged nonchalantly, not taking her answer that seriously."Well, your neighboring queendoms had a more balanced ratio of females to males. When Elyria eventually becomes an Empire, your gender ratio will go down as well, just like ours. It is a matter of time," she said, acknowledging that they were more or less in the same boat.


    Soon, the topic shifted toward the political landscape of Elyria. There was no question of debate on this topic. Everyone acknowledged that Elyria¡¯s internal politics were extremely complicated, primarily due to the unusual throne succession laws.


    Unlike in most queendoms and empires, where only the direct heirs of the monarch or the next in line kin could ascend to the throne, Elyria allowed any noble with the bloodline of the Flamehart Dynasty to compete in the throne trials, essentially making anyone with the right ancestry eligible to become a throne candidate.


    This system, while intended to keep power within the noble families, had only led to endless competition and strife over the throne.


    "It¡¯s a mess left by our founder," the Queen remarked grimly, shaking her head in frustration.


    Princess Artemis, always the curious one, leaned forward with interest. "But... with your power and influence, why hasn¡¯t Elyria taken action to expand? You have the military strength and the naval dominance to conquer your neighboring queendoms. Why hasn¡¯t it been done?"


    The Queen let out a weary sigh before responding. "It¡¯s not a matter of power," she explained. "If I were a demigod, I would have already taken control of the situation. But I¡¯m just in the legendary realm, and while I might reach the Supreme realm in my lifetime, my strength isn¡¯t enough to fight off assassination attempts from those with demigod powers. Internal struggles for the throne, assassination attempts, and dealing with the numerous throne candidates¡ªit¡¯s a battle on all fronts. If you aren¡¯t invincible, you must make compromises and use whatever you have in your hands as a weapon." She momentarily glanced at Kael. The latter also understood the deep meaning behind the last bit of the sentence.


    Remia paused for a moment, her gaze growing more confident this time. "However, I¡¯m not worried about the future. Shiera, my daughter, has the potential to become a demigod. She will be the one who secures Elyria¡¯s future."

 Chapter 64: Kael assassinates Rowena Blackthorn

    As the conversation turned toward the future, the Queen leaned in, showing a genuine interest in Princess Artemis¡¯ aspirations, too. The room grew quieter as they all waited for her response.


    Betraying everyone¡¯s expectations, she confessed. "My Eldest sister probably would probably take the throne. Since I¡¯m a direct competitor, she¡¯ll probably throw me to a border territory to manage." She smiled at the thought of it. "In that scenario, I wouldn¡¯t mind falling in love with an adventurer or someone who travels around. I would love to explore the world with him¡ªencountering dangers in the wild, living a free life without all the burdens of court politics instead of suffering the harassments from the new Empress."


    While Laura furrowed his brows, feeling discomfort in her heart once again, Melissa glanced at her twin brother and then turned back to Artemis. "If you don¡¯t mind me asking," she said, "what kind of man do you picture by your side? What are you looking for in a partner? Or is it just a spontaneous feeling?"


    Artemis smiled softly, her gaze thoughtful as she responded. "It¡¯s not spontaneous, no," she began. "Falling in love can be sudden, a fleeting moment that happens because of something a man does or how he looks. But that¡¯s not the same as choosing someone to spend your life with, you know." Her expression became more serious as she continued. "To truly spend your life with someone, they need to be strong enough to protect you¡ªif not physically, then mentally. They have to support your decisions and understand your thoughts. They need to fight for you, even when the opponent is someone they can¡¯t beat. And most importantly, they need to give you confidence, to know that they won¡¯t leave you, no matter how low you get. If I meet such a man, I wouldn¡¯t care even if he has ten wives."


    The other princesses were silent, taking in her words, but Kael¡¯s name came to mind for many of them. They couldn¡¯t help but glance at him, noting that he seemed to embody the qualities she just described.


    Laura, who had been quietly listening, felt a slight alarm stir within her again and again. Could Kael, her husband, be the man the princess was talking about? The thought lingered in her mind, but she kept it to herself.


    Meanwhile, Adam, ever the opportunist, made mental notes of everything. "I can understand the qualities she was looking for in her future spouse, but I don¡¯t know how to accomplish them. Until she is here, I need to talk with her more. That spar, I need to do it tomorrow without failure. I should take every opportunity to impress her."


    Soon, the dinner came to an end. Eventually, everyone returned to their rooms. Kael did the same.


    Adam wanted to discuss plans to woo the princess, but Kael excused himself, saying that he needed some sleep. He locked the door in the name of mental exhaustion but only sat cross-legged on the bed instead.


    After meditating to improve his mental prowess during the next few hours, Kael got up and slipped into his assassin attire, moving through the shadows with ease. He left the palace without alerting a soul and disappeared into the streets.


    Kael made his way toward the eastern district, heading straight for the Blackthorn mansion, a well-known place everyone in the city was aware of. It was the residence of Emily Blackthorn, Rowena¡¯s cousin, and Kael¡¯s target was currently residing there.


    The Blackthorn mansion was situated in a wealthy residential area¡ªone known for housing minor nobles. Kael blended seamlessly into the shadows, ensuring he remained unseen as he approached.


    As he surveyed the mansion from a distance, he noticed the lack of heavy security. "Hmm... 1. 2... 8... 12. Okay, with the guards at the entrance gate, there were 12."


    With only about ten patrolling the premises, it became easier for the intrusion. He moved quietly, methodically, toward his target.


    Kael moved like a shadow, blending seamlessly with the night. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He thought carefully about his approach as he slipped past the gate guards¡ªthose he would spare, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to himself. His focus was on the patrolling knights.


    As they circled the mansion, unaware of his presence, Kael teleported into their faint shadows from either the moonlight or the nearby fire lanterns, one by one, silently knocking them with precise hand chops to their necks.


    His actions were swift and precise. Within moments, the patrolling knights were all lying unconscious on the ground, each knocked out with a thud.


    Once the tenth one was down, Kael¡¯s attention now shifted to the residence. "Okay, judging by the auras, only my two targets were left. Let¡¯s go." Dark aura enveloped him, and Kael disappeared, teleporting to one of the balconies on the first floor.


    Meanwhile, inside the mansion, someone stirred. A middle-aged woman, still in her guest room, groggily opened her eyes. "Hmm?"


    A low murmur escaped her lips as she glanced toward the window, sensing something was off. "Someone¡¯s here," she whispered under her breath. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the surroundings. Her lips curled into a creepy smile all of a sudden on the realization. "The Queen was indeed quick to act. She sent her hound. Never expected it would be this soon, though. Anyway, let¡¯s welcome our guest." She murmured, motioning her palms forward.


    Kael, meanwhile, was already well into the mansion. His steps were light and deliberate. He knew exactly where he was headed, not because he knew about the mansion or anything. His Aura sensing can help him track down any person he encountered previously.


    Rowena¡¯s room was just ahead. The air felt tense as Kael¡¯s dagger glinted in the faint moonlight.


    He had already encountered Rowena before, and now he would have to deal with her, quietly and without hesitation. His dark eyes remained fixed on the door to her room, and with a steady hand, he slowly crept forward, poised to strike.


    Just as Kael was about to reach the bed where Rowena was lying down, an invisible barrier blocked his path. And in the second second, the barrier materialized, proceeding to envelop the intruder. Kael didn¡¯t even have time to move and he already found himself trapped in a shimmering, forceful barrier.


    Rowena immediately woke by the activation of the defensive barrier, her eyes snapping open as she took in the sight of the assassin standing in her room. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice sharp with alarm.


    Kael assessed the barrier, his expression calm and controlled. He raised his hand slightly, focusing his primordial dark energy.


    Thin, black threads of energy surged from his hand, weaving out like tendrils of darkness. With a focused motion, Kael released the full strength of his energy, and the barrier shattered with ease, disintegrating into nothing.


    Rowena reacted quickly. Her hand shot to her storage ring, pulling out her sword. "Guards." Her voice rang out, shouting for her guards. The sound of her frantic command to alert the mansion echoed in the air, waking up the servants.


    Kael moved swiftly, aiming to deliver the lethal blow, but just as he struck, an invisible energy barrier erupted once again, this time, around Rowena like a protective shield. The sudden force of the shield sent a shock through his arm, causing him to recoil slightly while the energy shield was shattered like glass.


    A cold voice interrupted the tense silence. "K," the voice spoke with a chilling familiarity. "I didn¡¯t expect we would encounter this soon."


    The middle-aged woman appeared beside Rowena, her presence commanding and calm. She assessed Kael with a calculating gaze, her posture confident and unshaken. Kael didn¡¯t flinch; he drew his second dagger, getting ready for a serious fight.


    The woman then turned to Rowena. "Leave," she said coldly, "I¡¯ll take care of him."


    Rowena¡¯s frown deepened. "I can fight too."


    The woman shook her head, her eyes hardening. "That is K, Rowena. Maybe, if it is day, you can fend him off but in the darkness, he is a shadow. He isn¡¯t something you can battle with. The guards were out. Just use your servants to make as much noise as possible. Go."


    Kael chuckled under his mask, his voice low. "I don¡¯t think so."


    Suddenly, Rowena made a break for the door, trying to escape. Kael moved to intercept, but the woman stepped in front of him, blocking his path. Rowena sprinted past them and headed outside.


    The woman looked back at Kael. "You won¡¯t be able to stop her."


    Kael smirked beneath his mask. "Do you know why criminals fear me? Not because they think they can¡¯t defeat me. It is because I have a perfect track record," he replied, his voice dripping with confidence. "Zero assassination failures. When I target someone, they... will... die."


    "Shadow Knight, go."


    Without warning, a dark energy surged from Kael¡¯s back, merging into a black spectral shadow. The shadow grabbed one of Kael¡¯s daggers and shot forward like an extension of his will, faster than the eye could follow. It moved with deadly precision toward Rowena.


    The King Clown gasped, realizing too late what was happening. "No!" she shouted, attempting to move to intercept. But the shadow was too fast, and before she could react, it plunged the dagger deep into Rowena¡¯s neck.


    Rowena¡¯s body shuddered for a brief moment, blood spilling from the fatal wound before the shadow twisted the dagger and delivered another blow directly to her heart. Rowena collapsed to the floor, her life quickly slipping away. Blood pooled around her as she took her final breath.

 Chapter 65: Chasing a King Clown; Artemis spars with Prince Adam

    The woman stared at Rowena¡¯s lifeless body, her face flickering with regret. She sighed deeply, her resolve hardening. "Her fate is sealed. Useless to try saving her," she muttered under her breath. Turning to Kael, she pushed him away with a blast of energy, propelling him back, and without another glance, she fled through the window, escaping into the night.


    Kael, now standing over Rowena¡¯s body, didn¡¯t waste a moment. He threw a sharp object, forged from black titanium and shaped like the letter "K," into Rowena¡¯s back. The object sank deep into her corpse. "One is down. One more to go."


    With his primary mission complete, he teleported away, pursuing the woman who had escaped.


    Kael followed her path, his steps light and agile, hopping across the rooftops of the city¡¯s buildings, always keeping pace with the woman as she fled. She was fast, but Kael was faster, and he was closing their distance every second.


    Giving a glance at her behind, the King Clown mumbled. "I need to raise commotion enough to distract him. I had to cause destruction with the possibility of a high number of casualties. That will change his priorities."


    "Fireball."


    She gathered her mana into her palms, transforming it into a giant fireball in a moment. "Now, let the fun begin."


    Just as she was about to finish the conjuration of the large fireball in order to throw it down at a residential district she was passing by, a spell meant to wreak havoc on the streets and buy her enough time to escape, Kael made a sudden move. He stopped as his daggers in hand joined their handle tips, causing them to transform into an intricate bow with a dark energy string.


    Gathering a large portion of mana from his reserves, he conjured a dark energy arrow, its power pulsating with killing intent. With deadly precision, he released the arrow, shooting it directly at the woman. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As if it teleported or traveled at the speed of light, the moment the arrow left the bow, it already struck its mark, piercing her back. She cried out in pain, the fireball dissipating mid-cast as she fell down with a thud.


    "Good. Let¡¯s go and capture her. Oh Queen Remia, get ready with 2 million gold coins." Kael transformed the bow back into his twin daggers and charged forward in excitement.


    But when Kael arrived at the spot where she should have crashed on, she was gone. Her blood, however, marked the place where she had fallen, a sign of her injuries, and there was a significantly sized crater left behind.


    Kael cursed under his breath. "Dammit," he muttered, frustration coloring his voice. Despite the injury, she somehow managed to escape. "Did she use a random teleportation scroll or something?" He couldn¡¯t help but wonder for a moment. "I shouldn¡¯t have let her escape like that. I should have gone for the kill. This greed for money is..." Stomping on the ground in frustration, Kael took a heavy breath to calm himself down.


    The main objective was completed. Rowena was dead, and atleast, something positive to think about.


    As Kael disappeared from the scene, the injured woman emerged from the ground, her form materializing from a transparent shadow.


    She clutched her fists tightly, a low growl of frustration escaping her lips. Her teeth ground together as she stood, the pain of her wound seething through her body. "I¡¯ll kill you one day, K," she swore to the empty night air, her voice thick with rage.


    But she knew better than to give chase now. She was far too injured. For now, she needed to heal, regain her strength, and complete her mission. With a final, seething glare in the direction of Kael¡¯s departure, she vanished into the shadows, planning her next move.


    The night passed peacefully for Kael and his wives but not for the citizens, nobles, and criminal gangs.


    The news of Rowena¡¯s assassination spread throughout the imperial city like wildfire by morning.


    Whispers of K¡¯s ruthless efficiency reached every corner of the city, and by the time dawn broke, it was the only topic on everyone¡¯s lips.


    It has been three weeks since ¡¯K¡¯ killed someone, and the fear was reduced due to his absence. And Rowena¡¯s death in Blackthorn Mansion served as a warning to those with funny ideas. The gangs that planned to resume their activities were forced to stay low-key once again.


    But this has nothing to do with Adam or the royal guest, Artemis.


    In the palace training grounds, as the sun slowly rose into the sky, the foreign princess stood poised with her sword in hand, preparing for a sparring session. Adam stood opposite her, his stance ready but slightly nervous. Kael was present as a spectator and Adam¡¯s supporter, standing among the other knights and the demigod Dragamir.


    "You can begin, Prince Adam," Artemis smirked, pointing the blade directly at his face.


    Adam, who was provoked, charged forward and attacked first, testing Artemis¡¯s defenses.


    But she was a master of the blade, parrying his strikes with the grace and precision of a seasoned veteran. The fight was fluid, pure swordplay with no magic or elemental energy involved¡ªjust the clash of steel against steel.


    As the minutes ticked by, Artemis moved with confidence, a teasing smile on her lips. After about twenty minutes of non-stop action, she taunted Adam. "Is that all you have to show, Prince Adam, the swordmaster who thinks he would one day surpass even Zet¡ªthe sword king?" she asked, her voice laced with a challenge.


    Adam, panting lightly but clearly still with much energy, raised an eyebrow. "You haven¡¯t attacked yet. Parrying is my specialty," he replied, setting himself to defend whatever she would throw at him next.


    "Very well." Artemis¡¯s smile deepened into something more competitive, and in an instant, she charged. Her sword moved in a blur, and Adam¡¯s eyes widened as he saw the first strike. It wasn¡¯t just one attack¡ªthere were multiple. At least six separate sword strikes seemed to converge on him all at once, and in a blink, Adam found himself blasted away by the force of her attack.


    Kael¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, his mind processing what he had just seen. His breath caught in his throat as he involuntarily muttered, "Eighteen."


    He rubbed his eyes in disbelief, unsure if he was seeing things correctly. But as he glanced at Dragamir, the old man looked at him, eyebrows raised in surprise at his unexpected comment. Kael¡¯s words had clearly not gone unnoticed.


    Meanwhile, Adam, still recovering from the blast, pushed himself up with a sigh. "What was that technique? I saw at least six illusions of your sword," he asked, his voice tinged with awe and confusion.


    Artemis smiled modestly but with a touch of pride. "I created it myself," she explained. "But I haven¡¯t given it a name yet."


    She continued, "A common person could easily block the real strike because they lack the mastery to detect the illusions. But someone with higher skill, like you, will see multiple illusions of the strike. It¡¯s a technique created especially for battle experts. And of those experts, only those who became one with the blade could see through the attack."


    Adam sighed again, clearly humbled by her prowess. "I¡¯m no match for you," he admitted.


    Artemis put her sword away with a lighthearted air, clearly pleased by the exchange. "It was just a nice morning exercise," she said with a smile, before turning to leave. "It was a good spar."


    Adam, flushed from the match and still catching his breath, couldn¡¯t help but blush at her smile. He waved her off with a lighthearted chuckle, but inwardly, there was nothing but disappointment. "Before you leave, I will gain your acknowledgment for sure." He clenched his fists in determination.


    Meanwhile, as Artemis and Dragamir walked away from the training grounds, the princess wiped away her earlier playful expression, her face turning cold and serious as usual.


    She turned to Dragamir, her voice now calm and controlled. "Teacher, you seemed like you have something to say."


    Dragamir nodded, his tone somber. "Your Highness, Kael saw eighteen illusions of your attack. It doesn¡¯t make sense for him to have this level of mastery and yet be a weakling. He¡¯s hiding his strength. He¡¯s not only a blademaster, but I¡¯m also sure that he is atleast a Tier-8. If he climbs the Tower of Zurin, he will become a trouble for you. Do you want me to keep him away from the Tower?"


    Artemis¡¯s expression remained emotionless as she processed this information. "He hasn¡¯t fathered any children yet. I need his bloodline to secure my grandpa¡¯s wishes and prevent the extinction of House Moonstone. So, no matter what, he cannot be harmed. We cannot allow him to have any negative opinion of us either. Moreover, just because you take him away doesn¡¯t mean I wouldn¡¯t face competition from others. Let it go. Only those who had a fate with the treasures of Zurin would be able to claim them."


    She paused for a moment, her mind working through the complexities of her plan. "Teacher, what about the spy I asked you to put in the Moonstone Household?


    Dragamir replied. "I¡¯ll take care of it."


    Artemis¡¯s gaze hardened as she glanced at the palace ahead of them.

 Chapter 66: Returning Home

    After a private lunch with the Queen and their royal guest, Kael and his three wives made their way back home. Amanda, however, had to remain behind. As the Prime Minister of the state, her responsibilities were numerous, and she had a great deal of work to attend to. There were important matters to manage, from state affairs to crucial decisions regarding the governance of the empire. Kael, understanding her position, bid her farewell as they parted ways. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Kael sat in the carriage, staring out of the window, his mind drifted into the past, replaying the events from only a few hours earlier. The scenery outside blurred as his thoughts focused on the private conversation he had with the Queen. The conversation between his wives slowly faded into the background.


    Three hours ago;


    Earlier, in the solitude of the Queen¡¯s chamber, Kael stood before the Queen, reporting the results of his mission. The weight of his words hung heavily in the air. "I couldn¡¯t finish off the King clown," Kael admitted with frustration. "She managed to escape."


    The Queen¡¯s expression immediately shifted from calm to serious as she processed this information. Her brows furrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin line. She clearly understood the gravity of the situation. "You said it was a Tier-9 expert and your usual Tier-8, correct? In that case," she said quietly, "their plan may be far more dangerous than we anticipated." She took a deep breath, collecting herself before continuing. "This means they wanted to do something that a Tier-9 can do and leave the city with ease. What could it be? Anyway, at the very least, we know what she looks like." She gave another glimpse at the rough sketch drawn by Kael on the parchment. "I will send the imperial preceptor to capture her."


    Kael, his hands still clenched from the frustration of the failed mission, remained silent for a moment.


    After a brief silence, the Queen reached to her storage ring on her index finger and retrieved a pouch filled with gold. She handed it to Kael with an air of finality. "Here," she said, her tone soft but firm. "100,000 gold coins, a few hundred more, I think. Anyway, it¡¯s the reward I promised for eliminating Rowena." She watched Kael¡¯s reaction carefully, noting his slight nod of acknowledgment before he accepted the pouch with quiet reverence.


    However, her next words were not just about rewards but caution. "But now," she said, her voice grave, "you must remain vigilant even more. Protect Laura and Amanda in the shadows. Don¡¯t directly eliminate those who try to abduct any of them. Instead, bring them to me. We cannot afford to have any more distractions or threats coming from unknown sources."


    Kael nodded in silence.


    Back to the present;


    The horse carriage entered Moonstone Estate, and they were met with a warm welcome. As he stepped down from the carriage, he was greeted by the familiar sight of Serestia, the teenage girl who had become both his self-appointed knight and a source of pride for him. She had just returned from her brief training under Knight Captain Cain, which Kael had arranged shortly after his return from Ikaris.


    Despite the few days that had passed since then, Serestia had made significant progress in her training. At the very least, she was no longer in Tier 2. She is now in Tier 3¡ªimpressive progress after a few days of physical training. Kael couldn¡¯t help but smile, pleased with her rapid improvement.


    "I¡¯m happy with your progress," Kael said, his voice warm. "When you reach Tier-4, I¡¯ll prepare a suitable weapon for you. It will be something worthy of your potential."


    Serestia beamed with excitement, her eyes filled with resolve. "I¡¯ll work hard, Lord Kael. I won¡¯t disappoint you."


    Kael¡¯s smile softened as he patted the girl¡¯s head, his affection for her evident in the gesture. "I¡¯m sure you won¡¯t."


    However, the moment didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Laura, who was standing nearby. Her expression darkened slightly, a frown tugging at her lips, though she made an effort to stay composed.


    It was a small but clear sign that she didn¡¯t entirely approve of the closeness between Kael and Serestia, despite the fact that she was aware that her husband would never set his designs on Serestia. She is only 14 years old, and Kael treats her like a sister.


    But, the other part of her mind screamed that she would become 16 after two years, an age when a girl is considered an adult. If they grow closer in 2 years, the dynamics could change.


    Laura¡¯s mind was in an entirely different world, creating alternate timelines and possible future timelines over and over as she walked into the mansion.


    Kael, on the other hand, had his thoughts elsewhere.


    The next morning, Kael made his way to the smithy to retrieve the adamantine five-clawed gold dragon statue, as promised by Orren.


    He collected it smoothly and returned home silently without attracting anyone¡¯s attention on the way. However, upon his return, he spent his time mostly in the company of Melissa, discussing the plans for the shipyard he intended to purchase.


    With the 100,000 gold coins he had received as a reward from the Queen for eliminating Rowena, Kael felt more confident in his ability to secure the shipyard. It was just the right amount to make a solid advance payment, ensuring that the shipyard would be held for him and kept away from competing buyers.


    Melissa seemed particularly invested in the details of the operation. Her intelligence and strategic mind were invaluable when it came to organizing and managing the project. Together, they went over the logistics and how best to move forward with their plans to expand their influence and wealth.


    With everyone else out for work, Melissa and Kael had lunch together.


    As the discussions over the new business were already been over, the atmosphere was awfully quiet, neither of them knew what else they could talk to each other. Kael¡¯s mind was going through various topics, but nothing relatable came to his head in order to converse with his wife. This happens when you speak all casual talks with only one wife when you have multiple ones.


    He had no idea what Melissa was thinking about; her head never raised high, and she seemed simply concentrating on the steak and caviar.


    Eventually, Kael managed to find the topic and spoke. "Say, Melissa."


    "Hmm?" Melissa finally raised her head to look at her husband. "Yes?"


    "What do you think about Princess Artemis?" He asked, his tone filling with curiosity about her reply.


    "Princess Artemis?" Melissa seemed taken aback by the question for a moment. "As in... Do you mean her personality or¡­" She didn¡¯t finish the sentence, but he could see a slight hint of displeasure on her face, which is, by the way, a big deal in his eyes. After all, she is the ever-composed of all of the princesses.


    Kael shrugged. "It¡¯s about your twin. Adam seemed to have developed a crush on her. And she seems like she wants to find love. They were living under the same roof of the palace, too. So, things could happen, you know."


    "Oh, you mean that way, huh?" Melissa seemed like relief washed over her. "Anyway, if I have to be honest, I feel like she is a troublesome character. Sometimes, I feel genuine about her, and sometimes, I feel like she was playing around for fun. It¡¯s like I¡¯m not sure when she was telling the truth or when she was lying. To be honest, I also felt the same way about you when we first got married."


    "Eh?" Kael blinked, caught off guard. "Me? What did I do?"


    Sure, he had two personalities, but lying? That wasn¡¯t his style. He pretended to be weak, yes, but that was necessary. Had he acted suspiciously? Maybe. He did sneak out at night a few times¡ªto kill people, no less. But he was sure that no one found out that he left home at midnight as no one had questioned him about it so far in the past three months. Then what?


    Melissa¡¯s soft giggle pulled him from his thoughts. "No, you didn¡¯t do anything, Husband." Her golden eyes held an amused glint. "If anything, you¡¯ve been nothing but kind to us. Supportive, even."


    Kael frowned. That wasn¡¯t exactly the impression he thought he gave.


    Melissa leaned forward, her voice light but pointed. "You didn¡¯t say a word when Eldest Sister decided to stay at the palace. You let Shiera choose the dungeons over marriage without complaint. You accepted Seraphina¡¯s vow of celibacy without protest. And when Laura wanted you as a live-in husband back at our palace, you were ready to leave your own home for us¡ªwithout hesitation. And if it wasn¡¯t for our Mother who sent us away, this estate would be empty by now."


    Kael¡¯s lips parted slightly. He hadn¡¯t thought about it like that before.


    "It made you seem... submissive," Melissa mused.

 Chapter 67: Deep conversation with Melissa

    "It made you seem... submissive," Melissa mused. "People assumed it was because you had no power, married to clear your ancestral debts, and no protector to lean on. But a human¡¯s psychology says otherwise. A person may accept unfavorable conditions due to circumstances, but their emotions¡ª" she tapped her temple "¡ªdon¡¯t lie. Even slaves would sometimes show their dissent despite being loyal to their masters."


    Her gaze softened, thoughtful. "But you? You never even flinched. Never looked uncomfortable. That was what confused me at first. Were you truly like this, or was it all an act?" She let out a small sigh, a knowing smile forming on her lips. "But the more I watched you, the more I understood. You¡¯re someone who just... flows along with the river, wherever it takes you. Rather than resisting, you¡¯ve learned to survive by adapting, by surrendering to whatever life throws at you and slowly dealing with it."


    Kael sat frozen, her words sinking in.


    He had assumed Melissa was just fulfilling her duty as a wife¡ªmanaging the household, greeting him morning and night, sleeping with him when necessary. She was always calm, never quarreling, playing the elder sister even to Seraphina and Amanda. Everyone confided in her. Servants, sisters, even strangers. She was the dependable one.


    But she never shared anything about herself.


    Only recently had he realized¡ªshe was lonely too.


    And now, watching her speak so candidly, Kael felt something shift inside him.


    Maybe... he should start talking to her more.


    Kael let out a quiet sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Well, you¡¯re not exactly wrong," he admitted. "But the primary reason I¡¯ve been so supportive is... guilt."


    Melissa tilted her head, her golden eyes narrowing slightly. "Guilt? For what?"


    He continued, voice steady but infused with something deeper. "You and your sisters are all talented¡ªeach of you had promising futures. But because of my circumstances, you were forced into this marriage. I couldn¡¯t pay off my ancestral debts, and the Queen¡ªyour mother¡ªcould only clear them by binding you to me as the law forbade her to give such a huge amount as a gift without any substantial achievement. It¡¯s like I was the one in trouble, but you were the ones paying the price."


    His fingers curled slightly against his palm. "If not for me, you could¡¯ve married into powerful noble houses or even foreign queendoms. You could¡¯ve had the life you deserved¡ªwealth, security, prestige. I have nothing to offer you. No riches. No protection. Nothing to make you proud of having me as a husband. The only thing I can do is support you. However I can."


    Silence stretched between them.


    Then, Melissa¡¯s expression softened, and to his surprise, her eyes shimmered¡ªnot with sadness, but something warmer.


    "Oh, Kael..." Her voice carried a quiet tenderness. "Why do you think like that?"


    She reached out, placing a gentle hand on the table.


    "You make it sound like our mother sacrificed us for your sake¡ªas if she was some fool throwing away her daughters. But if that were true, wouldn¡¯t that mean the Queen is an idiot and narrowminded?" A small, amused smile tugged at her lips. "You should try looking at it differently. Maybe... my mother saw something in you. Something you haven¡¯t realized yet."


    Kael blinked, caught off guard by the certainty in her voice.


    Melissa continued, her fingers lightly tracing over his knuckles. "And even if we assume we had married into some noble household... what then? No matter how extravagant the life was, it wouldn¡¯t compare to the one we had as imperial princesses. Moreover, we would be at the beck and call of noble house heads (mothers-in-law/grandmothers-in-law), mere pawns in political alliances. The men we married wouldn¡¯t love us, wouldn¡¯t care about our dreams or thoughts. We¡¯d be nothing but tools¡ªto bear heirs, to secure power. That¡¯s the fate of almost every woman in nobility who couldn¡¯t become the head of their respective House."


    Her voice grew quieter, more thoughtful. "But with you? It¡¯s different. Here, there¡¯s no pressure. No one is controlling us. No one is deciding our worth. We have a husband who stands by our side. Most importantly, we sisters are together. We grew together from childhood under the same roof, and we can grow old together, raise our children together, and face every challenge as sisters under the same roof, too. That¡¯s a gift most noblewomen can never dream of."


    Kael stared at her, the weight of her words settling over him. "Still..."


    "You don¡¯t have to feel guilty," Melissa said, squeezing his hand lightly. "What we need isn¡¯t riches or protection. We don¡¯t need a husband to give us something to boast about. What we need¡ªwhat every woman truly needs¡ªis love, support, and trust. And you¡¯ve already given us that."


    For a moment, Kael was silent. However, thoughts raced in his mind that could not speak aloud. "Well, to be fair, I just never thought I was useless. If anything, I always saw you all as burdens I had to bear because of my ancestors¡¯ mistakes. One wife would have been stressful enough. But five? Keeping the peace in this house, giving you all equal time, love, and attention¡ªwhile still focusing on my career, making money, and sneaking out at night for my assassin work? Ugh, it was a massive headache. That¡¯s what I thought when I first married all of you. Things turned out to be better than I imagined. But come to think of it, aren¡¯t we originally supposed to be engaged? Mother and the Queen had talked about our betrothal every time the Queen visited our home when I was a child. Had my parents still been alive, I wouldn¡¯t have been an assassin. I wouldn¡¯t have hidden my soul realm like this. I could have grown into a fine young noble with decent soul realm. I could have been engaged and married to Melissa. Perhaps, start a family already by now, living a peaceful life¡­ Ugh... Anyway, let¡¯s not go what-if scenarios."


    Kael pushed those thoughts aside, met Melissa¡¯s gaze with a smile, and said, "Thanks. I feel a lot better."


    Her smile widened, and got back to eating.


    The topic about Princess Artemis has gone to dust, and silence returned between them once again.


    However, this time, that silence only lasted a moment.


    She raised her head and glanced at her husband a couple of times, slightly poking the plate with the fork in a bit of hesitation. "Umm, Husband, there¡¯s something I want to ask you, though."


    "What is it?" Kael looked at her curiously.


    Melissa hesitated a bit once again but then said. "After lunch, you are going to the Auction House, right?"


    Kael nodded. "Yes, I need to appraise the statue to see how much they are willing to buy for it. Then, based on the results and Amanda¡¯s investigation report, I would plan my trip to the South Western District."


    Melissa said. "Can I come along with you?"


    "Eh? You?" Kael was taken aback.


    Melissa nodded. "I¡¯m going to read the book anyway. So, I thought I might as well come along. Moreover, my presence can give you a better offer."


    Kael thought about it and gave a nod. "Of course, why not?"


    *


    As Kael prepared to leave his estate with Melissa, he felt an odd sense of pressure weighing on him.


    Melissa, usually so calm and collected, had expressed her desire to accompany him to the auction house¡ªa place known for its reputation of safety and honesty in the imperial city. Kael had not expected this, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to say no, especially when she had expressed such genuine interest.


    However, the underlying issue was that he knew the value of 60% adamantine far more than the princess. He was aware that it wouldn¡¯t be just one million. In an auction, it could be sold at double its price. Or at face value, the auction might offer him around 1.2-1.3 million after negotiations. And due to their reputation of secrecy, not even the Queen would know their dealings.


    It could be a bad thing but he wanted to add a portion of that money into his secret savings.


    With the auction maintaining secrecy, he would make it seem like he purchased it for 800K to 1 million, giving that money to Melissa for her to manage the Shipyard business or whatever she wants. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But now that she was tagging along, he cannot do that. But at the same time, he cannot dismiss her. So far, he had been supportive, and Melissa even praised him to his face at his supportive nature. She seems to have a great deal of respect for him. Now, if he says ¡¯NO¡¯ without giving any valid reason¡­ No, if he gives one, it might still break her heart, and he definitely doesn¡¯t want to do it.


    Moreover, he knew that regarding finances, she was atleast better than him. Perhaps she could also negotiate for him instead and get him an even better price? He could only think optimistically as the carriage set off its course to its destination.


    Once inside the Grandcrest Auction House, Kael and Melissa were met with an air of refined luxury.


    The polished marble floors gleamed under the golden glow of crystal chandeliers, and the scent of aged parchment and exotic perfumes lingered in the air. Nobles, merchants, and collectors moved about, their conversations a quiet hum of anticipation as they eyed the various treasures on display.


    A formally dressed attendant approached them with a polite bow. "How may we assist you today, esteemed guests?"

 Chapter 68: Melissa-the negotiator (1/2)

    Kael pulled the cloth-wrapped statue from his satchel and carefully placed it on the velvet-lined counter. "We have an item for appraisal."


    Melissa added. "We believe it is adamantine. We need Master Kaiser for the appraisal."


    The attendant¡¯s sharp eyes flickered with interest before he nodded. "Right this way, please." One should praise him for his calmness even after the word, adamantine.


    They were led through a set of intricately carved wooden doors into a smaller, private chamber. Here, under the watchful gaze of armored guards, an elderly man sat behind a wide mahogany desk. His robes were lined with silver embroidery, and the various monocles and lenses tucked into his belt suggested a man well-versed in his craft.


    "Master Kaiser, these guests have brought an artifact for evaluation."


    The appraiser, Kaiser, adjusted his spectacles and motioned for the item. "Let¡¯s see what we have here."


    Melissa was standing before him, but this man¡¯s entire attention seemed to be on the item in Kael¡¯s hands.


    Kael placed the golden statue before him. It was a small, intricately detailed figurine of a mythical beast, its metallic sheen catching the light in mesmerizing hues. Kaiser hummed in thought as he ran his gloved fingers along its surface.


    Pulling out a small enchanted lens, he inspected the fine details, then produced a tiny vial of alchemical solution. With practiced ease, he applied a single drop onto the metal, watching the reaction closely. After a moment, the liquid shimmered and solidified into tiny crystalline patterns.


    Kaiser¡¯s brows lifted in surprise. "Interesting... Very interesting."


    He took out a small etching tool, trying to scratch a barely visible mark on the base but nothing happened. The way the metal resisted the blade made him nod in satisfaction. Finally, he pulled out a ledger, scribbled a few notes, and then turned his gaze toward them.


    "This is a fine piece," he admitted. "I believe it is made of atleast fifty percent adamantium alloy if my evaluation is correct. That alone makes it a rare find."


    Melissa exchanged a glance with Kael.


    Kaiser then leaned back in his chair. "Regarding the price, I will need to discuss this with our auction house manager. In the meantime, please wait in our private lounge. This shouldn¡¯t take long."


    A servant escorted them to a comfortable waiting chamber, furnished with plush velvet seats and a tray of complimentary refreshments. Other sellers and collectors lounged nearby, whispering amongst themselves as they awaited their own appraisals.


    After a short time, the door opened, and Kaiser returned¡ªthis time accompanied by a woman with sharp features and an air of authority.


    Bertha Sand, the auction house manager, was dressed in deep crimson robes, a golden chain draped over her shoulder as a symbol of her rank. She assessed them with a cool, calculating gaze before settling into the chair across from them.


    Without any proper introduction, she spoke. "The house is prepared to offer you a flat payment of 500,000 gold coins for the statue."


    Kael studied her expression. Straight to business. No hesitation. She continued, "Alternatively, we can put it up for auction, but the commission for the auction will be 20%, and the auction is scheduled to take place in about 16 days."


    After a short time, Kaiser returned with Bertha. The manager¡¯s expression was professional, and she wasted no time in making her offer. "We can give you a flat payment of 600,000 gold coins for the statue," she said coolly.


    Kael¡¯s heart sank at the 600,000 gold coins on offer. It was far less than he had expected, especially given the rarity of the item. However, before he could speak, Melissa stepped forward.


    Her eyes glimmered with calculation, and she calmly addressed Bertha, her voice steady and firm.


    "That¡¯s far too low for something of this caliber," Melissa said, her tone cool yet confident. "This statue is 60% adamantium, which is incredibly valuable. Moreover, look at its fine design, the five-clawed gold dragon of Moonstone House. For a relic of an ancient house, you could easily fetch between 3 to 4 million gold coins from any of the wealthy nobles who would want this piece for their collection."


    Kael¡¯s eyes widened in surprise at Melissa¡¯s boldness. 2 million was a figure he had never even considered, and hearing her mention it made his mind race. Even though he had thought the 600,000 gold coins offer was too low, 2 million was a huge jump.


    He turned to Melissa, a mix of admiration and concern on his face. "Do you really think it¡¯s worth that much?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.


    Melissa didn¡¯t flinch. "Absolutely. This material is not only rare, but it¡¯s also sought after by those with deep pockets who appreciate the craftsmanship and quality of such items. And with its history tied to your ancestors, you should never settle for less than its worth."


    "My ancestors?" Kael wondered what she was smoking on. The thing has nothing to do with his family. He merely changed its shape because he couldn¡¯t think of anything else better. But she turned it into a Moonstone House relic instead. As someone who also lies from time to time, he couldn¡¯t help but praise that poker face of hers.


    Master Appraiser, meanwhile, finally got a good look at her face. He recognized her and was taken aback at first. But he didn¡¯t back down and counterargued. "A relic? The paint was new, Princess. And it has clear signs that it has been reforged very recently."


    "Princess?" Bertha was taken aback this time. She gave another glance at Melissa. However, she didn¡¯t recognize her.


    Melissa replied. "Master Kaiser, it was a reforge, not made recently. The relics would obviously go rusty and old. We had to do it. But, will that reduce the value of this product or would it reduce its history? Even if you put its history aside, A simple block of adamantine itself would be sold for a million or two if you put it in an auction. If you are offering 600,000 at face value, you would be trying to swindle your clients. Do you really want to go down that road just because you have full autonomy granted by my mother? I¡¯m sorry, I mean¡­ Her Majesty?"


    The words, swindle, and Her Majesty were enough to scare the lights off the manager.


    Bertha exchanged a brief glance with Kaiser, who remained silent before she spoke again, this time maintaining more politeness. "Your Highness, I understand that the adamantium content is significant, but even so, we can¡¯t pay an astronomical price for it right off the bat. You can opt to place it in the auction. It is scheduled to take place in about 16 days."


    Melissa, however, wasn¡¯t inclined to wait. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she responded, her voice calm but edged with determination. "If we have such a time to wait, do you think we would come to the auction house with our ancestral treasure? Anyway, if you weren¡¯t interested in the item or not willing to give it a fair price, we would go directly to the nobles or even post a quest in the guild. Adventurers might not care about such a beautifully decorated item, but the nobles will certainly appreciate it. Even if we don¡¯t get the full price that we could at auction, I¡¯m confident we could still get 2-2.5 million gold for it without much trouble."


    Kael, though a little surprised at how bluntly Melissa was negotiating, remained quiet, watching the exchange unfold. With his acute senses, he could easily see through the manager and the appraiser, too. He could see that they were influenced by her words and reconsidering about negotiation.


    Just like Kael expected, Bertha hesitated for a moment, clearly feeling the pressure of Melissa¡¯s words.


    First of all, the item can be sold at a high price, but as Melissa mentioned, only nobles would be interested in such items. The competitors would be very few.


    Secondly, she wasn¡¯t confident about selling it for more than the Princess quoted.


    Thirdly, it was the princess. She cannot disregard her subtle warning. Regardless of their honest reputation, the auction house is still a business entity, and all business entities would be involved in corruption and shady deals.


    What should she do? Bertha took a deep breath, calmed her mind and tried to negotiate.


    "Alright," Bertha said slowly, after thinking it over, "I can offer you 1 million gold coins for the statue. That¡¯s the most I can give you directly." Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Melissa crossed her arms, considering the offer. "1 million is still too low," she said, her voice unwavering. "But seeing your effort, I will also take a step down. 1.8 million. It¡¯s only fair. And besides, it¡¯s not like we are strangers. We live in the same city, and who knows, we might sell a few more treasures in the future. If your auction house is serious about securing more valuable pieces in the future, you need to show sincerity in your offers."


    Bertha raised an eyebrow at Melissa¡¯s boldness, clearly taken aback by her demand. "1.8 million, you say?" she replied, skeptical but unwilling to dismiss the offer. "Your Highness, as it stands, I don¡¯t think this item will fetch more than 1.5 million at auction. Even with all the adamantium in it, that¡¯s pushing the limits of its worth. We need to make some profits too. 1.2 million. We can¡¯t offer more than this amount. Not anymore."


    Kael leaned in slightly, whispering to Melissa, "Maybe we should just take the 1.2 million. It¡¯s still a fair price, considering the circumstances. We don¡¯t have to push it any further."


    Melissa, however, shook her head in response, her eyes gleaming with resolve. "No."

 Chapter 69: Melissa-the negotiator (2/2)

    "No. The statue will sell for at least 2.5 million at auction, and I won¡¯t settle for anything less than that." She turned her attention back to Bertha. "1.6 million is the absolute lowest I will accept for it. If you can¡¯t match that, I¡¯ll be taking the statue elsewhere, and you won¡¯t have the chance to sell it."


    Bertha paused for a long moment, clearly weighing her options. She knew that if she pushed too hard, she might lose out on a sale entirely. Yet, she was also running a business, and she didn¡¯t want to make a bad deal that could hurt her bottom line.


    "Your Highness, can you give us a moment to discuss?" Kaiser interrupted their conversation, dragging the manager with him.


    As Bertha took the statue into the back room, Kael¡¯s senses went into overdrive. His enhanced hearing allowed him to eavesdrop on the conversation between the auction house manager and the master appraiser, Kaiser. Though he couldn¡¯t see them, he could pick up every word they spoke.


    Kaiser¡¯s voice, low but filled with conviction, reached Kael¡¯s ears: "You should take the offer, Miss Bertha. I¡¯m confident the statue can fetch at least 3 million gold coins if we sell it directly to our special clients. We have collectors who would pay that for such a rare piece. Moonstone House might look this way right now, but its history is rich. And besides, this is clearly the work only Master Blacksmith Orren can pull off. His reputation alone could drive the price higher."


    Kael¡¯s eyes narrowed, hearing the mention of Orren. The master blacksmith was well-known, a craftsman of legendary skill. The appraisal by Kaiser made sense; Kael didn¡¯t consider his reputation. He could only inwardly sigh as he thought. "To become the richest man, I need to learn how to be as blackhearted as these fellows."


    After a brief silence, Bertha returned to the front room with a new offer on the table. She looked at Melissa and Kael, her expression guarded but professional.


    "I¡¯ve discussed it with the appraiser," Bertha said, placing the new terms on the table. "Here¡¯s what we can do: 1.2 million gold coins in direct payment and another 400,000 gold coins in Auction House credits. These credits can be used to bid on anything in our auctions in the future."


    Melissa¡¯s brow furrowed as she considered the proposal. She didn¡¯t like the idea of being forced to buy items from the Auction House instead of making direct sales. "That¡¯s not a fair deal," she said firmly. "You¡¯re asking us to purchase from you when we came to sell. If you¡¯re offering Auction House credits, the payment should be higher. 1.2 million gold coins direct payment, and 800 thousand in credits, or there¡¯s no deal."


    Kael watched as Bertha glanced at the appraiser for confirmation.


    After a brief exchange of silent looks with the appraiser, Bertha sighed, clearly reluctant but resigned. She nodded and then turned to face Kael and Melissa. "Alright," she said with a tight smile. "1.2 million gold coins in direct payment, and 800,000 gold coins worth in Auction House credits. We have a deal."


    A contract was swiftly drawn up, and the terms were finalized. The statue was handed over, and the agreed payment was made readily. The Auction House credits were given in the form of bonds, which not only have an unlimited expiry date, but their value would also increase by 10% on the first of every financial year (Rainmoon/Fourth month). Kael couldn¡¯t help but be impressed by Melissa¡¯s negotiating skills.


    He turned to her with a smile and a hint of admiration in his voice. "You¡¯re born to be a negotiator, aren¡¯t you? I¡¯m lucky to have you on my side."


    Melissa blushed slightly at his praise, looking away for a moment before smiling shyly. "I just know what¡¯s fair. And I always try to make sure we don¡¯t get taken advantage of."


    Kael chuckled softly, his admiration for her growing. It wasn¡¯t just her business acumen that impressed him¡ªit was the way she handled herself with quiet confidence and poise. "I¡¯m lucky," he repeated, his voice full of genuine appreciation.


    With the 1.2 million gold coins from the auction deal in hand, Kael and Melissa made their way to the shipyard just to take a look. And they had a lot of time in their hand.


    By the time they got there, it was almost dusk.


    The site itself was sprawling, with various wooden docks stretching along the river. Ships, some half-built and others already completed, were lined up on the water, their sails fluttering in the breeze. The smell of fresh timber and the sounds of workers hammering and sawing filled the air.


    Melissa quickly got to work, inspecting the shipyard¡¯s financials and past accounts, ensuring everything was in order. She scanned over the records with a sharp eye, noting the shipyard¡¯s history and its current profit margins.


    Meanwhile, Kael examined the ships and vehicles in production¡ªhis mind sharp, evaluating the quality of the craftsmanship, checking for any defects or signs of poor maintenance.


    Once both were satisfied, Kael confirmed the authenticity of the deed, and Melissa nodded, handing over 500,000 gold coins to the shipyard owner. No haggling took place¡ªMelissa had decided that the price was fair, and she believed it would be an investment worth making. The deal was finalized smoothly, right there and then.


    Kael wanted to wait for Amanda¡¯s investigation reports, but as Melissa urged him, he purchased it without thinking much.


    With the transaction complete, Kael felt a surge of excitement for the future. The shipyard was theirs now, a new venture to manage and grow. Melissa, too, seemed pleased with the outcome.


    They took a moment to meet with the existing workers, some of whom seemed nervous about the change in ownership. The workers¡¯ faces were a mix of fear and uncertainty as they wondered if they¡¯d be kept on.


    Seeing their worry, Melissa addressed them calmly. "You¡¯ll continue your work as you always have," she assured them, her voice confident. "Your wages will remain the same for the next two months. After that, we¡¯ll reevaluate based on your capabilities. We believe in rewarding those who put in effort and show results."


    Her words brought some relief to the workers, though there was still a lingering tension in the air. Kael nodded approvingly at Melissa¡¯s approach. She was fair but also pragmatic, knowing how to balance kindness with a sense of discipline.


    Wanting to ensure that everything was secured, Melissa didn¡¯t hesitate to make use of her imperial status. She ordered a group of soldiers stationed nearby to protect the shipyard¡¯s inventory¡ªthe completed boats and ships. This added layer of security gave her peace of mind and showed her decisiveness in safeguarding her investment.


    Kael watched her with admiration. She wasn¡¯t just acting as a princess; she was a woman with sharp business instincts, and that made her even more impressive in his eyes. She wasn¡¯t afraid to take charge and make tough decisions.


    By late evening and close to midnight, Kael and Melissa returned home, the deal done, and their new acquisition secured. The house was quiet¡ªeveryone else probably slept in their rooms. Usually, he expected Laura to welcome him, but she didn¡¯t this time. Perhaps it is because he was with Melissa? He could only wonder. As for Amanda, he already communicated with her through the communication scroll on the way, and she was very understanding. There was no fuss about why both of them went without proper escort or anything like that. Seraphina, as usual, didn¡¯t communicate with him as the other two did.


    While there was mental exhaustion of traveling, the new venture brought excitement to Kael, and he just didn¡¯t want to go to his room and sleep. "Let¡¯s celebrate just the two of us for now," Kael suggested. "You made this happen, Melissa. You¡¯ve earned this small celebration."


    To his surprise, Melissa complied without trying to be considerate to her sisters as she usually does. "It was a team effort," she replied, though her cheeks flushed a little. "But alright, just this once. A small celebration, just the two of us."


    The two of them retreated to a private chamber, away from the rest of the house.


    The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of candles, and the air was thick with the scent of the wine they shared. They sat together, toasting to the success of the day, their glasses clinking softly.


    As they sipped the wine, Kael couldn¡¯t stop praising her. "You truly have an eye for business, Melissa. You negotiated better than I ever could have. To be honest, if I had gone there alone, I would have probably negotiated for a while and settled down at 800,000. You came along and changed everything."


    Melissa¡¯s face turned a shade of pink as she bashfully looked away. "I¡¯m just doing what feels right," she said, her voice soft. "But thank you." Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael smiled warmly, a genuine admiration in his eyes. He leaned closer, his voice lowering. "You¡¯re incredible, Melissa. I don¡¯t know what you gained from marrying me, but my misfortune turned into a heavenly blessing from marrying you."


    Melissa blushed again, looking down at her feet as her toes fidgeted.

 Chapter 70: The mysterious client

    One week passed in a blur.


    The Moonstone Shipyard was now buzzing with activity¡ªhired craftsmen toiled away, reinforcing hulls, expanding passenger cabins, and repainting the vessels with a fresh coat of navy and gold. Though progress was steady, it would still take weeks before the ships were seaworthy again.


    Meanwhile, the Queendom had gone into a state of lockdown. Borders were closed. Soldiers patrolled roads, docks, and city gates as adventurers from all across the world poured in, drawn by one singular event¡ªthe emergence of the Tower of Zurin.


    The tower had appeared like a ghost, rising from the island of Crescent Wharf, which itself rested in the middle of Lake Eldreich. The lake, nestled deep within the Forest of Eldreich¡¯s valley, was surrounded by the Mountains of Eldreich¡ªa place named after Archmage Eldreich, one of the greatest mages the Queendom had ever seen. At the heart of it all, piercing the very clouds, stood the imposing tower.


    While it emerged five days ago, its entrance had remained sealed. Until today.


    Kael stood at the foot of the mountain pass, eyes locked onto the distant spire of the tower. The air felt thick with anticipation as adventurers, mercenaries, and various groups of hopefuls gathered along the shores of Lake Eldreich. There was an obvious buzz of excitement in the air.


    The tower, an imposing structure, rose high into the clouds, its spires and intricate design a testament to the ancient craftsmanship and powerful enchantments woven into its very stones. Its sheer size left no doubt as to its purpose: it was a place of both mystery and legend.


    Kael¡¯s gaze remained fixed on the tower, his thoughts sharp and calculating.


    "It looks quite intimidating even far far away," Seraphina murmured beside him, tucking a stray silver strand behind her ear.


    "That¡¯s what people say about dragons too," Laura quipped, her arms crossed. "But, we can tame them too. The same goes for the tower."


    With them were a handful of Tier-6 royal knights led by Captain Cain¡ªa Tier-7 warrior, personally sent by Amanda for security. Publicly, their orders were to safeguard everyone, but secretly, their priority was to protect Laura and then Seraphina, only then, its Kael.


    Is it out of love? Not really.


    It¡¯s just the order Amanda came up, based on what she thinks from weakest to strongest.


    But none knows her real thoughts. So, they could only have their own theories like Laura is her most precious sister, it might be because Seraphina is a healer, or maybe, the relationship between Amanda and her husband is not good. Cain couldn¡¯t help but worry about the order he was given. Nevertheless, he was committed to bringing everyone safely.


    The air buzzed with tension. Kael was here not just for the tower but also to meet the mysterious client who claimed to have information on his sister¡¯s whereabouts. According to the letter, he was told to meet the client in the valley. Well, he was in the valley.


    Considering how the stranger knows his secret, Kael was confident that the stranger would look for him. With royal knights around, he had enough attention from passersby. And he waited.


    Eventually, someone found him as he expected.


    A woman, clad in a dark green travel cloak, emerged from the crowd of adventurers and strode toward him.


    "Lord Moonstone."


    He stiffened as someone called him out.


    She knew his name but he didn¡¯t recognize her. Moreover, the person called him instead of greeting his wives. He understood that moment it was this stranger he was waiting for.


    The woman stopped a few paces away, tilting her head slightly as if evaluating him. "You¡¯re late," she said simply.


    Kael narrowed his eyes. "And you are?"


    "Someone who works for the one who hired you." Her tone was calm, unbothered by his wariness. "My boss passed a message to you. He would like you to join our group for the tower expedition."


    Kael¡¯s lips twitched into a dry smirk. "Not interested."


    The woman blinked, caught off guard by the immediate rejection. "You¡¯re refusing before even hearing the terms?"


    "If your boss wants to speak with me, they can meet me directly," he said. "If not, I don¡¯t see the point."


    A moment of silence. Then, she gave a small nod.


    "Fair enough," she conceded. "Follow me. Alone."


    Laura scoffed. "Like hell he¡¯s going anywhere alone with you."


    Seraphina crossed her arms. "You could be leading him into a trap."


    The woman didn¡¯t flinch at their suspicion, and neither did she care about the bunch of royal knights. "One of you can come along. But only one."


    Kael glanced at both women. Laura was already tensing to argue her case, but before she could, he spoke, "Seraphina comes with me. She was there when I received the quest from my client. It¡¯s only fair that she deserves to meet the client, too."


    Laura¡¯s expression dropped instantly, but she said nothing.


    Seraphina, on the other hand, nodded without hesitation. "Alright."


    The woman turned and walked toward the dense thickets of the forest, not looking back to check if they followed.


    Kael and Seraphina followed her.


    Staring at their backs, Captain Cain spoke. "Your Highness, do you want us to follow them in secret?"


    Laura shook her head, a frown of displeasure creeping to her face. "No, it¡¯s alright."


    Meanwhile, Kael and Seraphina followed the stranger deep into the forest.


    The deeper they ventured into the forest, the quieter it became. The sounds of distant adventurers faded behind them, replaced by the occasional rustling of leaves and the soft crunch of dirt underfoot.


    The woman led them through winding paths, past gnarled trees covered in luminescent moss. Eventually, they reached what seemed like a small wooden treehouse perched on thick, intertwining roots.


    Kael frowned. "This is where we were meeting? In the middle of nowhere?"


    The woman stepped forward, gesturing toward the entrance. "Inside."


    Kael didn¡¯t move immediately. He scanned the surroundings, his instincts on high alert. From what he could tell, there was no one inside. No other guards, no lingering mana presence.


    It seemed too... simple.


    Still, he gave Seraphina a slight nod before stepping through the doorway.


    And the moment they entered¡ª


    The room expanded.


    What had once been a simple treehouse stretched and unfolded into a grand hall. The wooden walls seemed to shift and widen, forming polished floors, tall bookshelves, and chandeliers that hovered without chains. It was no longer a hut in the woods¡ªit was a mansion.


    "Space manipulation." Kael thought, observing his surroundings.


    Kael¡¯s expression remained unreadable, but Seraphina inhaled sharply beside him. "This is no ordinary treehouse. They managed to construct an entire new dimension inside," she muttered.


    Kael thought, inwardly shaking his head. "No, if it was a pocket dimension, there would be a slight disruption of mana the moment we entered. I didn¡¯t sense anything earlier. It wasn¡¯t mere space manipulation either. It¡¯s highly possible that the house itself was something akin to an artifact. Anyway, this isn¡¯t important. Where is that client? Even after entering this place, I cannot sense any other presence either."


    It was at that moment that the woman stopped walking and turned around to face.


    "Welcome," She greeted. But her voice isn¡¯t feminine. It sounded masculine this time.


    Kael¡¯s eyes stayed locked on the woman standing before them¡ªexcept that she was no longer a woman.


    Before their eyes, her figure warped and shifted. Her delicate frame broadened, her limbs stretched, and her once-soft features hardened into a sharp, masculine face. When the transformation settled, a man now stood in her place.


    The man was dressed in robes that glimmered faintly with magical wards, his age indeterminate¡ªhe could have been anywhere from his mid-thirties to his mid-fifties. He radiated a level of power, one that immediately marked him as someone with an imposing presence but not to the extent that could pressurize him into doing something against his will.


    A simple thought came to Kael¡¯s head. "A Supreme Being."


    Kael took a slow step forward. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice calm, but with an edge of suspicion.


    "I suppose introductions are in order," the stranger said, voice now deeper, carrying a trace of amusement. "My name is Gabriel. And I am the one who called you here." He then gestured toward a nearby set of lavish chairs arranged neatly around a mahogany table.


    "Please, sit."


    Kael hesitated for only a moment before sitting down. Seraphina, sensing his unease, stayed close, her eyes darting around the room, taking in every detail as though she were ready to spring into action at any moment. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gabriel pulled out a glass jar of wine from a cabinet, along with three crystal goblets. He poured with practiced ease, filling each glass with a deep crimson liquid.


    Kael didn¡¯t touch his.


    Neither did Seraphina.


    Gabriel, unfazed, swirled his own drink lazily before taking a sip. Then, he exhaled with a satisfied hum. "Humans indeed make good wines," he remarked, setting the glass down. "You should try some."


    Kael ignored the comment. His voice was steady as he asked, "How do you know about my sister¡¯s true identity?"


    Gabriel chuckled. "Straight to business. I respect that." He leaned back, his expression unreadable. "But the how doesn¡¯t matter, does it? What I know¡ªthat¡¯s what¡¯s important."


    Kael said nothing, waiting.


    Gabriel¡¯s smile widened. "For example," he continued, "I know that you were born with the potential to become a demigod."


    Seraphina¡¯s breath hitched slightly. She couldn¡¯t help but glance at her husband.


    Kael¡¯s eyes narrowed, but his expression remained carefully neutral.

 Chapter 71: Past revelations

    Gabriel poured himself another drink, acting as if he had all the time in the world. "But, unfortunately, fate had other plans, didn¡¯t it?" he mused. "The Poison of Death¡ªmixed into a simple pastry. But the one who ate it... wasn¡¯t you, but your sister."


    Silence.


    Kael¡¯s hands clenched.


    Gabriel¡¯s tone remained light, but his words cut deep. "She was fated to die that night. But your mother¡ªLady Moonstone, ever so desperate¡ªused a forbidden technique. She transferred your mana core into her, saving her life. And in doing so, she turned you into a cripple. And then your mother tried to undo her actions by using the forbidden ritual and gave you a new mana core. Alas, it was incompatible with your body and once your bright future turned into abyss." S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seraphina¡¯s eyes widened. "Kael...?" She turned to him, searching for any sign of denial.


    But Kael¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change.


    He simply stared at Gabriel, his gaze cold.


    In truth, he was laughing in his mind. "This fool thinks he knows everything. What he knows is half truth and half fabricated. Let¡¯s test and see what kind of fabricated stories he knew so that I can narrow down to his source."


    As Kael thought in his head, Gabriel indeed only knew half of the truth. He didn¡¯t know that Kael had been born with two mana cores. One of them was transferred to his sister. His parents were worried that he would get too much attention if people knew that he had manifested twin mana cores during birth. So, they made up a fabricated story among close friends that they gave away his mana core to his sister and then used forbidden ritual to give him another one. As for staying as Tier-1, that was his ploy to fool the world.


    Kael leaned forward, voice calm yet cutting. "And what else do you know about my family? My sister?"


    Falling into Kael¡¯s trap, Gabriel chuckled again, taking his time before answering. "When you were three years old," he began, "a man came to your house¡ªcarrying your father¡¯s bloodied, half-dead body."


    Kael felt Seraphina tense beside him.


    "That man was Michael¡ªan Archangel from the Silver City. A warrior who had lost his powers due to betr¡­ unfortunate circumstances. Your parents took him in, let him stay as a guest." Gabriel paused, tilting his head slightly. "Your father became busier¡ªworking for the Queen¡¯s flood relief efforts. And while he was away... your mother became close to Michael."


    Kael¡¯s fingers tapped rapidly against the armrest of his chair, knowing where this guy was going with the conversation.


    Gabriel¡¯s lips curled into something almost smug. "They had an extramarital affair," he said. "Even after your father returned, Michael remained in the household. No, your mother made sure of it. She is the head of the household. Naturally, your father couldn¡¯t question her decision. They kept their secret behind closed doors¡ªuntil one day, she became pregnant with your sister¡ªNo, your half sister."


    Seraphina sucked in a sharp breath.


    Gabriel sat back, eyes gleaming. "Then, Michael disappeared. Never to be seen again. There was a rumor that your father killed Michael after learning the truth. Another rumor states that your mother was too guilty to keep him around. I don¡¯t know the truth. If you want to shed light on the matter, I¡¯m all ears, but I won¡¯t judge either way. You humans, especially the so-called nobles, are a bunch of sinners. Even your royal mother-in-law is no saintess."


    He crossed his leg on the knee, waiting for the latter¡¯s response. He was prepared to see some incredible rage, too. But to his surprise, Kael smiled.


    It was not a pleasant smile, though.


    Seraphina noticed it instantly¡ªthe way the air shifted around him. It was too familiar to her.


    It only lasted a moment, but she remembered when she experienced the same feeling. It was ten days ago when Kael confronted the manager and threatened him with words.


    Gabriel, however, was too pleased with himself to notice.


    Kael let the silence linger a moment longer before speaking. "You¡¯re good," he admitted. "But you¡¯re also wrong, and since, I can now accurately guess where you find this secret. I know what else you know anyways."


    Gabriel blinked. "Oh?"


    Kael leaned forward slightly, resting his elbow on the table. His tone was calm but deadly. "The story you just told me?" he said. "It¡¯s the fabricated one."


    Gabriel¡¯s smirk wavered slightly.


    Kael continued, his voice growing softer¡ªbut sharper. "That was the lie my parents created. And do you know why?"


    Gabriel didn¡¯t answer.


    Kael¡¯s smile didn¡¯t waver. "It was for the House stewardess. And for my mother¡¯s closest friend¡ªwho just so happened to lead an information guild."


    Seraphina¡¯s fingers curled against her lap.


    Gabriel still looked composed, but Kael could see it now¡ªthe slight tension in his jaw.


    So, Kael delivered the truth.


    "My father was nearly killed in a beast horde, orchestrated by the former Duchess of Aquareld because she was obsessed with him, and he refused to marry her. She thought if she didn¡¯t get him, then she could not let him stay with others, too. And Michael was the one who saved him." He tapped a finger against the table. "But the injuries my father suffered were... severe."


    Gabriel stayed silent.


    Kael¡¯s voice remained smooth, unshaken. "His mana core was shattered. And he became impotent."


    Seraphina¡¯s eyes widened further.


    Kael¡¯s gaze stayed locked onto Gabriel, reading every flicker of reaction.


    "The Moonstone family was left without an heir, and my mother did what she had to do¡ªto preserve a 1,200-year-old legacy."


    The air felt thicker now.


    Seraphina swallowed.


    Gabriel, for the first time, had no response.


    Kael¡¯s voice turned deadly quiet.


    "It wasn¡¯t an affair. She slept with him with my father¡¯s consent, giving him one of the precious treasures of our house as compensation. After she found out that it was a baby girl, Michael no longer held any place in our house. He had to leave without being seen in the imperial city ever again. Because that¡¯s the deal they made. As you see, there wasn¡¯t any question of how my father could sacrifice his mana core to give me his mana core. And what happened that day to me, I would leave it at suspense."


    The words hit like a blade to the throat for both Gabriel and Seraphina.


    Kael then leaned back in his chair, watching Gabriel with cold amusement. "My mother felt guilty about it. That much is true," he said. "But not because of some romantic betrayal." His eyes darkened. "Because she loved my father more than anyone in this world. And she hated that she had to make that choice for the sake of her duties to the House, even though we no longer hold any titles or territories. On the other hand, she doesn¡¯t want my sister to feel like she was born out of necessity either. So, she decided to make herself an infidel woman. At the very least, in the eyes of her closest friends, Mia would be seen born out of love."


    Gabriel exhaled slowly, setting his drink down. For the first time since this conversation started, he looked unsettled.


    Kael simply smiled. "Now," he said, folding his hands together as he leaned forward. "Shall we talk about why you really called me here? You want the Sword of Zurin, and I want my sister¡¯s whereabouts. You said that I was lucky, and even if I consider myself lucky, I lack sufficient strength to claim the sword. So, in case I return empty-handed or something less worth than that treasure, I need something to re-negotiate with you. What does it take for you to give me the information, Gabriel?"


    Gabriel took the wine glass again and took a sip in embarrassment. "Well, you can convince your mother-in-law, aka Remia Flamehart, to give up her celestial treasure of Elyria¡ªBrisingamen, the golden necklace of Freyja."


    "What!" Seraphina instantly reacted, almost standing up. "That¡¯s impossible. Brisingamen is the treasure of Elyria. Only the Queen of Elyria is authorized to possess it. The moment it falls into others¡¯ hands, the entire Elyria will be cursed. That¡¯s why no matter what dynasty sits on the throne, the Queen will always possess it. There is absolutely no way it will be given to you."


    Like Seraphina, Kael also knew the story about how the goddess of love, fertility, wealth, and gold was impressed with Mage Elyria and granted her the most beautiful and precious necklace in existence, shining with an otherworldly glow.


    By wearing the necklace, one could attract any person of the opposite gender in an instant. When a woman wears the necklace, a man, unless he is transcendent or blind, regardless of his strength or his hatred for her, could never lift a weapon against her as soon as his eyes fell upon her. The weak-willed people would even become her slaves. So, basically, the Queen can get any man she wants as long as she wears that necklace.


    Secondly, by merely possessing the necklace, one would never become poor. Money always somehow comes to their doorsteps in mysterious ways. That is why it is believed that the Flamehart Dynasty was incredibly rich for a Queedom, their wealth comparable to Empires.


    Thirdly and most importantly, Brisigamen possessed the magical properties of divination. It allows its users to see prophecies that are linked to the fate of their loved ones, although it needs a Diviner to see it.


    Even when there is absolutely no chance that the Queen will give up the necklace, Seraphina still argued with Gabriel as if he was being preposterous for even aiming at the necklace.


    Kael, however, grabbed her hand and spoke softly. "Calm down. We¡¯ll talk."


    Gabriel, however, chuckled as if he retained his coolness again. "Unfortunately, Princess, all those things you believe are nothing more than myths. The necklace isn¡¯t a goddess¡¯ blessing to your people. Freyja just wants to make fun of you people."


    "You..."

 Chapter 72: The Zurin Trials (1/3)

    Seraphina once again lost her composure because of his comment. It felt like an insult to her and her dynasty as they worshiped it because the necklace is a Deity¡¯s personal item. "Mind your tone, Gabriel. Remember where you are before running off your mouth like that." At that moment, she neither cared whether Gabriel was a Tier-9 nor her personality that always advocates peace. She seemed prepared to fight with him.


    "Seraphina, please..." Kael knew the importance of the necklace to the imperial family, but if he had to be honest, he also considered those things as nothing more than myths.


    After all, the Queen herself was a heavenly beauty capable of charming any man, even at her current age of 49. Since long ago, Elyria possessed gold deposits all over the Queendom. No wonder the ruling dynasties were always rich. Last but not least, Kael doesn¡¯t personally believe in divination or even fate, for that matter.


    In his eyes, it was just some old relic with a cultural value. But, as Seraphina¡¯s husband, he had to side with her. The problem is that this stranger was a Supreme Being. If a fight starts here, his secret will be out. Hence, Kael was prepared to swiftly knock out his wife in case of a battle. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fortunately for him, Gabriel didn¡¯t get offended by her words. Instead, he simply backed away with a smile, controlling the flow of the conversation. "Whatever you think, Princess, isn¡¯t the truth and simply a half-hearted myth that was created by your ancestors. The thing is..." He paused, thought about what had transpired a moment ago when he was embarrassed, and corrected his tone. "Anyway, it doesn¡¯t matter what you think or what I think. Bring a Zurin¡¯s treasure or Elyria¡¯s treasure; my price for the information remains the same. A celestial treasure in exchange for your sister¡¯s whereabouts and, as promised, an additional 10 million gold coins. As a leap of faith, I will tell you a piece of information about your sister. She is imprisoned in this very Queendom."


    "In Elyria?" Kael¡¯s gaze narrowed, absorbing Gabriel¡¯s words like a sponge, his thoughts swirling in a dangerous storm. Mia was still in Elyria. That was news he hadn¡¯t expected. His sister hadn¡¯t left the Queendom after all, and that gave him some measure of hope.


    "You are being unreasonable to ask for such treasures in case of mere information," Seraphina said, her voice sharp.


    However, before Gabriel spoke, Kael opened his mouth, his fists clenching tightly. "I¡¯ll try my best." He said, his voice cold but resolute. After a brief pause, he added. "But when I do, you better hold up end of the deal, Gabriel."


    Seraphina was taken back and gazed at her husband, widening her eyes. "Kael¡­ you¡­"


    Gabriel nodded slowly, his gaze shifting as though contemplating something far deeper. "You have my word. Whether you retrieve the sword from the tower or give me Elyria¡¯s treasure, I¡¯ll tell you everything you need to know. With Queen¡¯s support, you can then free her."


    Kael¡¯s mind was already racing. The Sword of Zurin¡ªhis next objective. If he isn¡¯t successful, he will have to use everything he has to capture Gabriel, even though it is against his principles.


    He exhaled slowly, his gaze never leaving the man¡¯s face. "I¡¯ll be back for you," he muttered, then turned away. No more words were needed. Seraphina, as always, understood the silence between them.


    Gabriel simply watched them leaving, his enigmatic smile never faltering. "I¡¯ll be waiting, Kael Moonstone."


    But once they left his sight, his smile disappeared, and he muttered seriously. "Okay, the bait is now being thrown into the waters. I wait for the fishes."


    They made their way out of the treehouse, Kael¡¯s boots silent on the wooden floors. The shadows from the setting sun stretched long over their path, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Seraphina¡¯s hand brushed his arm briefly, a subtle gesture that grounded him in the present. He nodded at her.


    Once outside, they were met with the familiar glow of the valley. Laura, waiting by the entrance, looked up from the horizon. Her face was one of curiosity, but Seraphina spoke before she could ask. "We don¡¯t have time to explain. The entrance is already open."


    "Let¡¯s go," Kael replied, his lips turning into a smile.


    As Kael and his companions made their way towards the dock where a small fleet of ships awaited them, they noticed the growing number of adventurers preparing to cross the lake toward the island.


    Some were armed to the teeth, others carrying magical artifacts, while a few seemed to be traveling in light attires¡ªrelying more on their speed perhaps.


    The water of Lake Eldreich shimmered under the pale light of the sun, its surface still and quiet despite the bustling crowd. The island in the distance beckoned, the massive tower looming like an unreachable goal.


    Kael stepped onto one of the boats, his thoughts focused on the challenge ahead. He knew the risks¡ªthe tower was designed to test not just physical prowess but also intellect, cunning, and perseverance. He wasn¡¯t alone, but he didn¡¯t intend to make allies during this trial either. This was something he had to do on his own.


    As the boat pushed away from the shore, the distant sound of waves lapping against the hull was the only noise that accompanied them. Kael¡¯s mind raced with calculations, his body already alert. He had trained for years and honed his skills, but he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this tower might be unlike anything he had faced before.


    The journey to the island would take time, and as they neared the foot of the hill, the tower loomed larger, casting its long shadow across the water.


    "Do you think you¡¯ll be able to do it?" Seraphina asked Kael, her voice carrying a quiet but deep thought.


    Before Kael answered her, Laura glanced back at her, her expression unreadable. "If I had to quote some historians, expect the unexpected," she said simply.


    Kael: "..."


    The boat rocked gently as it cut through the dark waters, Kael¡¯s mind still spinning with the encounter in the treehouse. Seraphina and Laura sat beside him, their faces set in determination. The island loomed ahead, the swirling mist around it almost a warning.


    Kael didn¡¯t speak much, his eyes narrowing as they approached the stone steps that led to the portal. He felt the pull even before they reached it. The magic was thick here, ancient and unfamiliar.


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    "Dear..." Laura went on grabbing his hand as they stepped into the portal together. The others followed one by one.


    As Kael stepped inside, he no longer felt his wife¡¯s hand in his, the light around him distorting like a fluid wave. Kael stumbled. A sharp twist of magic separated him from the others, transporting him elsewhere.


    The sudden silence was deafening.


    Kael¡¯s heart raced as his surroundings materialized. He was no longer on the island.


    Instead, he found himself alone in a vast, dimly lit chamber. The air was thick, heavy with centuries of dust and secrets. In the center of the room, there was a pedestal¡ªunassuming, almost like it didn¡¯t belong here. But the object resting on it made Kael¡¯s breath catch in his throat.


    It¡¯s a sword.


    And Kael didn¡¯t have to appraise it to know what sword it is and was well skilled enough to know that it wasn¡¯t an illusion. "The Sword of Zurin." He mumbled, his eyes widening in surprise.


    It was just... there. Embedded deep in the stone as though waiting. Kael¡¯s mind scrambled to process the sight. "How? Aren¡¯t there like trials to obtain it? Instead, I was directly taken to the sword. Am I really fated?" He couldn¡¯t help but wonder. The shock was just unimaginable for him.


    A whisper then broke through the silence, soft at first, like a distant murmur.


    "Welcome, O fated one. The holder of primordial darkness."


    The words rang in his ears as if the sword was speaking directly to him.


    "I was waiting for you," the voice continued, softer now, almost coaxing.


    Kael¡¯s pulse quickened.


    He wasn¡¯t sure what he was hearing, but it felt quite familiar. He couldn¡¯t help but remember that memory when he was called out by the black cat. It was just as enticing as back then. Kael was naturally hesitant.


    "Come," it whispered again, "Release me."


    This time, as if it had a hypnotic effect on him, his body moved on his own as his gaze became a bit blurry.


    He took a step forward, almost without thinking, his hand reaching toward the hilt. But just as his fingers brushed against the cold metal, something held him back¡ªsome instinct that told him this moment wasn¡¯t as simple as it seemed.


    "Not yet," he muttered under his breath, fighting the strange compulsion rising within him.


    But the whispers didn¡¯t stop. Instead, they grew louder and louder.


    Kael managed to resist the temptation and instead backed away from the sword, sitting cross-legged on the floor. He closed his eyes and meditated as the whispers tried to haunt him like a ghost.


    "Fated One, I have been waiting for you for millennia. Come and claim my power." "I will give you the power you cannot imagine." "I¡¯m the most powerful weapon ever to be created by a human. "Accept my power, and you can rule the world."


    Kael¡¯s whole body started shivering. It was as if the body was screaming at him to stop resisting and claim the sword of Zurin. But Kael stayed put and tightly shut his ears; the voices slowly started growing distant and eventually faded away.


    As the last bit of whisper was gone from his head, the air around him suddenly grew colder. The shadows in the room thickened, and before he could even blink, a figure materialized before him.


    Kael opened his eyes abruptly.


    His eyes widened, recognizing the figure.


    It is him.

 Chapter 73: The Zurin Trials (2/3)

    A perfect replica, dressed in the same dark assassin¡¯s attire he wore when carrying out his duties. The same lean figure, the same posture, but there was something wrong about it. The air around the clone shimmered with a deep, almost oppressive energy¡ªthe primordial dark energy that had been whispering to him.


    The clone¡¯s eyes locked onto his. There was no recognition in them, only cold calculation, as though it was created solely for the purpose of this moment. Without warning, it surged forward, its body enveloped in that same dark power, charging straight at him.


    Kael barely had time to react. Before he even properly rose to his feet, the force of the blow struck him like a freight train, sending him crashing backward.


    Pain exploded through his chest as he was blasted against the stone wall.


    "Ugh."


    Groaning, Kael pushed himself up, hands scraping against the cold stone floor for support.


    Blood dripped from a fresh cut across his chest, but the pain was more a reminder than a hindrance, heightening his concentration to the peak. The clone stood a few feet away, silent and menacing. It held two daggers, one in each hand, the weapons gleaming with dark intent.


    Kael mumbled, breath ragged. "A trial indeed..."


    He summoned his own daggers in response, the familiar weight of them comforting in his grip. Without further hesitation, he charged.


    The clone moved with unsettling precision.


    Kael¡¯s blades clashed with the blades held by the clone, sparks flying from the impact, but Kael¡¯s face looked grim at their first proper exchange. "This..."


    Kael¡¯s movements were fast, but he found that the clone was faster.


    It was like facing a mirror of himself¡ªevery move he made was countered before it could even land. They were locked in a deadly dance, each strike followed by another.


    The fight went on for a few minutes, and Kael only felt like he was being overpowered by the opponent.


    The clone¡¯s daggers cut through the air, striking him with relentless precision.


    Kael was once sent flying backward, crashing to the floor with a brutal force. His breath was knocked out of him, and he groaned in pain as he tried to push himself up. "Ugh¡­ this fuc*ing piece of sh*t."


    Had it been any other opponent, Kael wouldn¡¯t have felt so bitter, but it was his own clone beating him with his own moves, as if the clone was say that he could never defeat it no matter what kind of trick he brings out.


    It was then the whisper once again followed.


    The sword, its voice as cold as the shadows surrounding them, echoed in his mind once again.


    "Despite the fact that you hold the primordial darkness," it intoned, "if you cannot defeat yourself, you are not worthy to attain me."


    The words stung, but they also stirred something inside Kael. He tightened his grip over the daggers as he spoke. "The battle was far from over."


    Kael stood, his fists clenched at his sides.


    The clone¡¯s unwavering gaze never left him, its body poised, ready to strike again. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael¡¯s body ached, blood trickling down his side, but he wasn¡¯t going to back down. He could feel his strength growing, his mind sharpened by the fight.


    But no matter what he did, the clone seemed to be an equal match¡ªalways blocking, always countering.


    "I need to find out its limitations." Kael thought, charging forward. The clone responded with a charge, their daggers clashed each other, and Kael pushed back again.


    They fought for what felt like hours. Kael¡¯s body was bruised, bloodied, and battered, but still, he pressed on.


    *Ting* Ting* Ting*


    Each clash of their daggers echoed through the chamber. The sword¡¯s whispers continued to harass him every time he was beaten down.


    The spectral wolf and the black cat¡ªhis companions¡ªremained still in his mindscape, unable to intervene as their master doesn¡¯t let them out. It became less than getting completing the trial and became more about his keeping his ego.


    Kael¡¯s breaths were shallow now, his body heavy with fatigue. He closed his eyes, momentarily shutting out the world. "Fuu..." He took deep breaths, his his mind rewounding the entire battle, analyzing every movement, every strike, every counter. "I need something to break through him. Just what are its limitations that I failed to see. Think Kael¡­ think. It won¡¯t attack when I stand still and doesn¡¯t show any signs of movement. That¡¯s one thing to be noted. Secondly, it didn¡¯t have any new moves that I wasn¡¯t aware of. It countered the moves in a way I would if same moves aimed at me, although it had a better precision."


    As the memories of the past few hours replayed over and over again, clarity washed over him. While it felt like it was always faster than him, in reality, he was the one getting slower due to a loss of stamina over time.


    The clone seemed like it had an inexhaustible amount of energy, but in fact, its speed, its reflexes, its attack strength¡ªthey had remained constant.


    "This..." His eyes abruptly opened in realization.


    That realization was like a spark igniting within him.


    "Instead of trying to focus on overpowering the clone with strength and unnecessarily use more techniques and feed it to the clone, I need to become faster¡ªfaster than I had ever been before."


    While he might have found a solution, it is not an easy task either.


    Taking a deep breath, Kael brought out all of his mana reserves left in his body and concentrated on his only arms and legs.


    "I only had one shot, and I needed to put everything into it."


    Gazing at the clone, Kael then pushed off the ground, surging forward. He moved like a blur, darting around the clone, each step faster than the last. The air around him seemed to distort as his speed increased until he was no longer just one Kael¡ªhe was five.


    It was his famous Mirage technique, which takes impossible amounts of stamina that he would grow considerably weak once he performed the task.


    As the clone stood in its head, glancing at the mirages that seemed all real because they were. It¡¯s like Kael was standing in its five directions at the same time.


    However, Kael didn¡¯t attack. He redirected the mana that enveloped his left arm towards his legs, taking the speed into the next level.


    Using every fiber of muscle in his legs, Kael tried to push his limits, increasing the mirages.


    Five became six, six became seven, and finally, seven became eight.


    Eight mirages surrounded the clone, all of them charging at it.


    The clone spun around as he would in case multiple enemies attacked him, its daggers cutting through the air as it tried to keep up.


    It summoned the same dark energy from before, twisting it into a mini tornado of force to block the incoming strikes. Kael¡¯s mirages vanished in an instant, but as they did, something else vanished as well.


    Kael himself.


    The clone looked around, its eyes scanning the empty air.


    In that split second, Kael turned off his invisibility, appearing right behind the clone.


    He moved in silence, his daggers held in reverse grips, ready for the final blow. With a single motion, he slashed across the clone¡¯s neck in a precise, cross-shaped cut.


    The clone¡¯s form flickered for a moment¡ªthen vanished completely.


    The room was still.


    Kael stood there, chest heaving with exertion.


    *Thud*


    He almost collapsed as fatigue took over him, one of his knees resting on the floor. His breaths became heavier, and sweat poured down from his face like raindrops, his entire body drenching in sweat.


    "You passed the trial. You are qualified to hold my power." The sword glowed as the whisper flew into his ear.


    Gathering his strength, Kael slowly walked to it.


    His hand wrapped around the hilt of the sword, its presence tugging at him with a magnetic force. The whispers in the room grew louder, more insistent, praising him in voices that felt almost... hungry.


    "Excellent warrior," the sword purred. "Now pull me out, O fated one. Release me and claim my power."


    A strange sensation washed over Kael, as though the very essence of the sword was intertwining with his own.


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    Without hesitation, he yanked the blade free from the stone.


    The action was effortless, almost too easy, but as the sword came loose, a ripple of energy spread throughout the chamber, like the air itself was responding to the release.


    Before Kael could process what had just occurred, a form materialized in front of him.


    It was a man¡ªno, a spirit.


    His form was ageless, his appearance that of an old man with long, flowing white hair and a radiant, almost blinding aura that seemed to radiate wisdom and power.


    The man¡¯s eyes locked onto Kael, and he spoke with a voice that resonated deep in Kael¡¯s chest. "I am Zurin, the creator of this tower," the figure introduced himself.

 Chapter 74: The Zurin Trials (3/3)

    Kael¡¯s grip on the sword tightened, his body on high alert. Something in the air felt different now¡ªcharged with the weight of an ancient presence. The words of the sword echoed in his mind, but now there was another voice, far more powerful, a presence he couldn¡¯t ignore.


    Zurin¡¯s figure remained silent for a moment as if collecting his thoughts. Slowly, he began to speak again, his voice calm but filled with sorrow and wisdom.


    "I was born as a commoner in a small village nestled in the mountains," Zurin began. "It was a quiet life... until one day, a witch came to our village. She destroyed our homes and took us children, experimenting on us for dark magic. I was the only one to survive."


    The spirit¡¯s voice grew darker as he continued. Kael could hear the weight of years in his words, a lifetime of pain and regret.


    "The witch, fascinated by my resilience, took me in as her apprentice," Zurin explained. "I worked harder, pushing myself to become stronger so that one day, I can escape from her grip. But her only goal was to transcend her mortal limits, to become a transcendent, a true immortal. She sought power¡ªmore power than any mortal should ever crave."


    Kael stood still, listening intently. The witch¡¯s dark ambitions seemed to parallel that of Necromancer; atleast, it appeared that way for him. If he doesn¡¯t know that Zurin¡¯s time was way earlier, he could have imagined that this witch in Zurin¡¯s story was Lilith.


    "But despite all her power and all her efforts," Zurin continued, his tone growing bitter, "she could not break the chains of mortality. In the end, the witch passed away, and I inherited her research, her knowledge... and her power¡ªthe power of primordial chaos."


    Zurin¡¯s eyes darkened. "When I reached the end of my mortal life, I had finally broken through the shackles of the human form. I became a transcendent." His voice faltered for a moment, like the memory was still fresh. "But the true cost of such power is more than one can imagine. The secret to my transcendence was not something I had created. It was tied to the seven treasures I crafted¡ªseven items that were not mine to begin with."


    The room seemed to pulse with energy as though the very walls themselves were listening to Zurin¡¯s story. Kael felt a strange chill run down his spine. He didn¡¯t expect these treasures weren¡¯t his in the first place. More importantly, were they related to the transcendent realm? Kael became curious.


    "It was when I was nearing the end of my life. Perhaps, a decade was what left of me," Zurin continued, "that¡¯s when I encountered a divine being. A being who had come to Earth to meet me. The divine being sought my help to open the path to the Void Dimension, for my power¡ªthe primordial chaos¡ªwas the key."


    Kael felt his grip tighten around the sword, but his eyes never left the glowing figure of Zurin. His curiosity piqued, he remained silent, waiting for the next part of the story.


    "The divine being," Zurin went on, "needed Void Stones. These stones were the primary material to forge celestial weapons, the kind that could break through the limits of the transcendent realm itself. Together, we created the ultimate celestial treasure¡ªthe Wheel of Light. But..." Zurin¡¯s voice grew heavy. "But I didn¡¯t want to let it go. I betrayed the divine being, claimed the weapon for myself."


    Kael¡¯s breath caught in his chest. The story had taken a dark turn, but Zurin¡¯s voice was steady. He spoke as if recounting a great truth, no matter how tainted.


    "I used the Wheel of Light," Zurin said, "and became a transcendent. But it was too late. I realized that even with the power of a transcendent being, a mortal body cannot endure such strength without the constant supply of life force."


    The words hit Kael like a blow to the chest. So, humans cannot ever become transcendent?


    "My life force couldn¡¯t bear the weight of the Wheel," Zurin continued, the regret in his voice palpable. "Instead of becoming the immortal I had dreamed of, I began to wither. My body could not handle it."


    Kael listened intently, captivated by the tragic tale. Zurin¡¯s life had been one of ambition, betrayal, and desperate attempts to break free from the constraints of mortality. But in the end, he failed. So, the stories of Zurin leaving behind the weapons after becoming a transcendent were indeed fabricated.


    "To protect my legacy," Zurin said with a finality that sent a shiver through Kael¡¯s spine, "I broke my ultimate creation. I reforged it and crafted the wheel into seven celestial weapons, each one representing an element."


    *The Spear¡ªPrimordial Fire*


    *The Pendant¡ªPrimordial Water*


    *The Shield¡ªPrimordial Earth*


    *The Bow¡ªPrimordial Wind*


    *The Staff¡ªPrimordial Lightning*


    *The Crown¡ªPrimordial Light*


    *The Sword¡ªPrimordial Darkness*


    "Only those who possessed Primordial elemental energy are the ones fated to be with these treasures of mine; well, that¡¯s how I designed this tower. The weapon tests their fated ones, and those who pass the trial can claim the treasure. But once they were owned by someone, no trials were needed. You defeat its owner, and the weapon will acknowledge you as its new owner. It would be as simple as that. And when you collect all of these treasures and combine them using the spell I¡¯m about to give you, you will bring forth the Wheel of Light."


    Zurin¡¯s gaze met Kael¡¯s, and for the first time, there was something resembling understanding in his eyes. "You see, the path you walk now is no different from mine. The moment you claim the sword, you will undoubtedly walk toward transcendence just as the other six. And right now, you stand at a crossroads, Kael," Zurin said. "I have given this same choice to six others who managed to meet me."


    The ethereal figure paused, the flickering light around him growing more intense. "You must choose. The celestial treasure¡ªthe Sword of Zurin, the last of its kind... or the rest of the weapons and treasures still unclaimed in this tower."


    "What?" Kael was taken aback by the choice.


    Zurin smiled. "As I have said, choose the sword or the remaining treasures." Explore more stories at FreeNovelFire


    Kael fought for hours with his clone, forced himself to go past his limits, and almost touched death many times in order to claim the sword. Yet, this spirit was asking him to choose? S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Why would he hesitate?


    When that question came to his mind, another thing also came to his head. If he takes the sword, can he hold it? Will he have to give it to the Queen or be tempted to hand it over to Gabriel?


    But, if he doesn¡¯t return with the sword, Gabriel won¡¯t say where his sister is. On the flip side, he is confident about defeating Gabriel, although not sure about forcing him to say the information he needed.


    And then lies another fact that his sister is still in Elyria. With the help of the information guild, he might have a better chance to find her now, provided that he was speaking the truth.


    No matter how he thinks, the choice should be obvious, but Zurin¡¯s asking for him a choice made him falter.

 Chapter 75: The Chosen one

    Why would such a wise being put forth a choice when he knew that everyone would choose the treasure when they fight very hard for it? The value of the single treasure is far higher than all the treasures combined in the tower. This much, everyone agrees.


    What if this all were mind games, like the final test of the trial? Kael¡¯s mind became a mess due to overthinking all of a sudden.


    He shut his eyes and calmly thought about everything. Even after five minutes of silence, Zurin didn¡¯t seem like he was in any hurry to hear his answer. Zurin patiently waited in silence, staring at him with a smile.


    Kael opened his eyes. His mind became clear now, and the choice has been made.


    "I choose the remaining weapons." He spoke aloud.


    Zurin¡¯s expression shifted, his glowing eyes narrowing slightly. He hadn¡¯t expected this. "You... choose everything else?" he asked, his voice filled with surprise. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael nodded, his voice steady. "First of all, I¡¯m an assassin, not a swordmaster. I don¡¯t need a sword. Even if I take it, it will either end up in the Queen¡¯s hands, sold at an auction, or perhaps traded with a troublesome fellow that I recently had contact with. Anyway, the sword is not my path. I think it¡¯s better left here so that another fated individual can claim it when the time is right."


    The sword buzzed in his hand and vibrated violently as if it responded to his words, freeing itself and floating beside Zurin in red glow. Even though Kael isn¡¯t a swordmaster or anything, he could sense its feelings. The sword was angry at him.


    Kael could only helplessly smile as he continued, speaking aloud but mostly to himself rather than the spirit of Zurin. "To find my sister, I don¡¯t need the sword. To become rich and gain power, I don¡¯t need the sword either. I would rather pick the remaining treasures and raise the shadow army so that no one on my homeland would ever face injustice or become a victim of crime."


    Zurin¡¯s spirit was silent for a moment, as though absorbing Kael¡¯s words. The air seemed to crackle with tension, the weight of the decision hanging between them. Then, the old man let out a low laugh¡ªsoft at first, but it quickly turned into a full, genuine chuckle.


    Zurin clapped his hands together, his voice full of amusement. "You, Fated One, are truly something different. No one has ever made such a choice before." Read latest chapters at FreeNovelFire


    He stepped forward, his form glowing even brighter, as if his essence was fueled by Kael¡¯s decision. "You¡¯ve passed the test. I never expected such wisdom from one so young. From this moment forward, the entire Tower of Zurin is yours."


    Kael¡¯s heart skipped a beat. "The entire tower?"


    Zurin¡¯s smile widened as he continued. "The remaining 212 pieces of equipment¡ªof all kinds¡ªAdamantine, black titanium, elemental magic crystals, and elerium deposits. The forge is yours. Two golem puppets. Thirteen remaining magic scrolls, and yes, the Sword of Zurin itself¡ªI leave all of them to you now."


    Kael¡¯s thoughts raced. What Zurin was offering him was almost too much to comprehend. The power, the weapons... everything fell into his hands when he chose to abandon the sword?


    "You¡¯ll have everything," Zurin added. "And now, I will give you something more. Sit."


    Kael sat, obeying without question. His mind was buzzing, but he kept his focus.


    The spirit of Zurin floated before Kael, his expression now serious. "I will teach you two spells. The first will allow you to summon and retract this entire tower into your mindscape, a hidden place where you can call upon its resources whenever you need them."


    Kael¡¯s eyes widened. The potential for power was quite staggering.


    "The second spell," Zurin continued, "is the Assimilation Spell that I have given to the other six inheritors. It will allow you to assimilate the celestial treasures you have collected and bring forth the Wheel of Light once again."


    Kael¡¯s hands tightened into fists, his mind still wrapping around everything that just transpired.


    "But..." Zurin¡¯s voice faltered for a brief moment, and then a heavy sigh escaped him. "There is one thing I must confess, Fated One. I wish I could pass on my primordial chaos element to you... but I cannot."


    Kael¡¯s brow furrowed. "Why not?" He thought.


    Zurin continued, his expression solemn. "I have found a more suitable candidate."


    Kael¡¯s mind raced. Someone else? Who could it be?


    Before he could ask, Zurin raised his hand, silencing him. "Do not worry, Fated One. You have already proven yourself worthy of many great things. The tower, the weapons, the knowledge... all of it is yours. What you choose to do with it, however, is up to you."


    Kael took a deep breath. "Thank you," He said, his voice steady but with an underlying determination. "I will make the most of this."


    Zurin¡¯s form shimmered, and for a brief moment, Kael saw a flicker of something in his face¡ªmaybe pride?


    "Good." Zurin¡¯s spirit form started fading away, leaving behind the last few words. His voice echoed in the vast chamber. "May the heavens bless you, my successor."


    Meanwhile, in the stillness of one of the hidden chambers deep within the tower, Artemis sat cross-legged, her breathing slow and steady. Her eyes were closed, her face serene, yet there was an undeniable tension in the air. The faint glow of Zurin¡¯s spirit surrounded her, ethereal and radiant. His form hovered before her, his spectral hand resting gently on her forehead.


    The atmosphere was thick with energy, charged with something ancient and profound. The primordial chaos element of Zurin¡¯s was now flowing into Artemis, filling her, creating a secondary mana core.


    Zurin¡¯s voice, deep and resonant, whispered into her mind. "You are the chosen one, Artemis. You will carry the power I once held and the knowledge of the spells I created. But, if one day, a fated one appears in the world, bringing the Wheel of Light into existence, I hope you will make the right choice instead of falling into greed. Remember, only primordial chaos can destroy the Wheel of Light."

 Chapter 76: Gabriel’s true intentions (1/2)

    Artemis nodded, her mind swirling with the weight of this new gift. She had known she was always destined for something greater, but now she could feel the raw power inside her¡ªdark, chaotic, and unyielding. She would need time to master it, but with it came the possibility of reshaping the world itself.


    Elsewhere in the tower, Laura and Seraphina moved cautiously through the winding corridors, their eyes sharp, senses heightened. They had come across another isolated chamber, tucked away in the deepest part of the tower. The air was thick with mystery, and they exchanged a glance before stepping inside.


    The chamber was modest, with little more than a stone pedestal at its center. On the pedestal rested a treasure chest, its surface unremarkable yet undeniably ancient. The two women approached it with a mix of curiosity and caution.


    Seraphina knelt down first, her fingers brushing the lid of the chest. It opened with a soft creak, revealing two items inside. A blank magic tome, its pages empty but brimming with some sort of mysterious aura, and a peach fruit, glowing faintly with an inner light. They both stared at it in wonder, sensing that whatever lay before them held power beyond their comprehension.


    Laura reached out, picking up the fruit carefully. "What do you think this is?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Seraphina¡¯s eyes narrowed as she studied it. "I don¡¯t know. But something tells me that it needs to be consumed as soon as possible."


    The women shared a brief look, before Laura tossed it to Seraphina and she started munching it. Meanwhile, Laura went on bonding with the magic tome.


    Coincidentally, the moment both of them were done, the tower¡¯s existence flickered, then vanished in an instant, leaving nothing but confusion in its wake. On the island, the adventurers found themselves disoriented, many stumbling as they adjusted to their surroundings. The sudden absence of the tower left most feeling empty-handed, as if the very ground they stood on had stolen away their hard-earned prizes. Stay updated via FreeNovelFire


    The murmurs spread like wildfire.


    Some of the adventurers had found treasures¡ªhidden weapons, rare artifacts¡ªbut many had nothing to show for their efforts.


    Those who had filled their storage rings were now left to wonder if the treasures they had taken were even real. Those who hadn¡¯t been so fortunate found their weapons taken from them, stripped away in the blink of an eye. Only those who bonded the equipment with their souls in the tower or consumed the magical fruits ended up fortunate.


    "The tower was supposed to last 24 hours!" one adventurer shouted. "It disappeared too quickly! Someone must have claimed the celestial treasure."


    "What¡¯s going on?"


    "Where is that magic crystal?"


    "The dagger... it is gone..."


    "Haha, I did the right thing, bonding with the sword. This sword is mine."


    The whispers grew louder, each adventurer wondering who among them had walked away with the ultimate prize. Had someone truly managed to claim the fabled Sword of Zurin, or were the stories about the tower fabricated?


    Laura and Seraphina, however, weren¡¯t concerned with the mutterings around them. Their focus was on one thing¡ªfinding Kael. The two women moved through the crowd, their eyes scanning every face, but they couldn¡¯t see him. Panic began to rise in Laura¡¯s chest.


    "Where is he?" she muttered, her voice tight.


    Seraphina placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "He¡¯s fine. He has to be. We¡¯ll find him."


    Meanwhile, Kael had already left the lake in a boat, returning to the treehouse as quickly as possible. He walked inside, his eyes immediately landing on the man still sitting there, waiting for him. The stranger looked up as Kael entered, a curious gleam in his eyes.


    "Well? Did you find what you were looking for?" the man asked.


    Kael stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "No, I found a couple of magic scrolls." He opened his storage ring, pulling out one scroll at random, handing it over to the man. "Take this one," he said, his voice casual.


    The man took the scroll, examining it briefly. "A magic scroll with a freezing spell. This is a good find, indeed."


    "This one carries the spell of lightning strike." Kael then tossed a second one, watching as the man¡¯s eyes flickered with interest.


    Kael straightened, his gaze hardening. "Look, I tried my best, but this is the most I could do. I don¡¯t have the power to convince my mother-in-law to give up such treasure, either. All I need is information about my sister. Where is she? How about just telling me the territory she was in for these two magic scrolls? You are not losing out on anything here." sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gabriel, the man sitting before him, merely shrugged as he tossed both of the scrolls at the table, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Sorry, a deal¡¯s a deal. Either the sword or the necklace. If you have nothing, then the deal is off," he said nonchalantly.


    Kael¡¯s patience snapped at once.


    With no Seraphina or Laura at his side, Kael didn¡¯t care to pretend to be weak.


    His hand shot out, grabbing Gabriel by the collar. His anger flared, though he kept his voice low, dangerous. "I don¡¯t care about the deal. You¡¯re going to tell me where she is."


    Gabriel¡¯s smile widened, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Just as I thought, you trained your physical body to the peak due to the lack of your mana reserves. However, you still aren¡¯t a match for me. But fear not, I¡¯ll tell you, alright... if you¡¯ll have to make it out of here alive, that is."


    Kael¡¯s grip tightened, his eyes narrowing. It was then he sensed the presence of a few Tier-6 experts surrounding the house. He knew he was being followed as soon as he boarded the boat, but he had thought little of it. A group of Tier-6 adventurers wasn¡¯t much of a threat to someone like him, anyway.


    "Alive?" Kael muttered, his tone low. "I¡¯m not leaving here without answers."


    Gabriel shook his head, his expression calmer as he freed Kael¡¯s grip from his collar. "Kael, it¡¯s not me you need to worry about. Those aren¡¯t my friends following you." His gaze turned cold, and his voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Those are my targets. The real fishes I was waiting to catch."


    Kael¡¯s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, but before he could react, Gabriel moved toward the door. "Stay inside. You¡¯ll want to stay out of this."


    Kael stood still, his senses heightened as he listened intently from within the treehouse. Gabriel walked out, and Kael watched through the open window, eyes narrowing as Gabriel¡¯s aura began to shift. A wave of energy pulsed from him, revealing his soul realm into Tier-7.


    "Hmm? Why was he suppressing his soul realm? Toying with those clowns?" Kael wondered.


    Gabriel¡¯s voice, calm yet commanding, echoed through the air as he spoke to the assassins surrounding the place. "I¡¯ve been waiting for you, Clowns from the Ark."


    The group of clowns with cone hats¡ªmasked assassins known for their strange, unsettling appearance¡ªdidn¡¯t speak a word. They just stood there, unblinking, their presence almost suffocating in its silence.


    Kael¡¯s gaze locked onto them, trying to make sense of the situation. What did this person want with the Clowns? Why did he say that they were his real targets?


    Was he a bait for the Clowns of Ark? Kael¡¯s eyes widened in realization.


    Just as the tension reached its peak, a new figure emerged from the shadows¡ªa final clown, but this one was different.


    He wore a crown, an odd, regal touch that made him stand apart from the others. Gabriel spoke again, his voice now mixed with a strange familiarity.


    "King Clown."


    The King Clown, towering over the others, turned his masked face toward Gabriel, his presence equally imposing. His voice was deep and raspy, carrying an unsettling calmness. "Who are you?" he asked, his words filled with an unspoken challenge.


    Gabriel¡¯s aura flared once again, pushing his soul realm into Tier-8¡ªmatching the King Clown¡¯s strength exactly. Kael¡¯s frown deepened. "Still pretending? What is this guy playing?"


    Gabriel¡¯s lips curled into a thin smile. "You don¡¯t need to know."


    Without warning, Gabriel raised his hand, and a crackling energy filled the air. The ground trembled as a grand spell sealed itself into the environment, trapping everyone within a massive barrier. The entire area, including the clowns, was caught in the shimmering dome.


    The King Clown¡¯s expression remained impassive as Gabriel¡¯s eyes flickered with cold calculation. "From the beginning, my target was never you, Kael," he said aloud, his eyes glancing at Kael¡¯s figure from the window in the corner. "You were just bait. Bait to draw them out."


    Kael, still inside the room, nodded. "Indeed, it is as I expected. Just because I seemed lucky, it doesn¡¯t make sense for anyone to think that I can claim the Sword of Zurin. I just thought that he figured out my true strength back then."


    "Clowns of Ark," Gabriel continued as if the words were as familiar to him as his own breath. "They¡¯ve been after you for some time now, Kael. They want you to convince Mia to awaken their founder. You asked me where Mia was at. Well, I¡¯ll tell you now. Mia is imprisoned in Clowns of Ark¡¯s Headquarters."

 Chapter 76 76: Gabriels true intentions (1/2)

    Artemis nodded, her mind swirling with the weight of this new gift. She had known she was always destined for something greater, but now she could feel the raw power inside her¡ªdark, chaotic, and unyielding. She would need time to master it, but with it came the possibility of reshaping the world itself.


    Elsewhere in the tower, Laura and Seraphina moved cautiously through the winding corridors, their eyes sharp, senses heightened. They had come across another isolated chamber, tucked away in the deepest part of the tower. The air was thick with mystery, and they exchanged a glance before stepping inside.


    The chamber was modest, with little more than a stone pedestal at its center. On the pedestal rested a treasure chest, its surface unremarkable yet undeniably ancient. The two women approached it with a mix of curiosity and caution.


    Seraphina knelt down first, her fingers brushing the lid of the chest. It opened with a soft creak, revealing two items inside. A blank magic tome, its pages empty but brimming with some sort of mysterious aura, and a peach fruit, glowing faintly with an inner light. They both stared at it in wonder, sensing that whatever lay before them held power beyond their comprehension.


    Laura reached out, picking up the fruit carefully. "What do you think this is?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Seraphina''s eyes narrowed as she studied it. "I don''t know. But something tells me that it needs to be consumed as soon as possible."


    The women shared a brief look, before Laura tossed it to Seraphina and she started munching it. Meanwhile, Laura went on bonding with the magic tome.


    Coincidentally, the moment both of them were done, the tower''s existence flickered, then vanished in an instant, leaving nothing but confusion in its wake. On the island, the adventurers found themselves disoriented, many stumbling as they adjusted to their surroundings. The sudden absence of the tower left most feeling empty-handed, as if the very ground they stood on had stolen away their hard-earned prizes.


    The murmurs spread like wildfire.


    Some of the adventurers had found treasures¡ªhidden weapons, rare artifacts¡ªbut many had nothing to show for their efforts.


    Those who had filled their storage rings were now left to wonder if the treasures they had taken were even real. Those who hadn''t been so fortunate found their weapons taken from them, stripped away in the blink of an eye. Only those who bonded the equipment with their souls in the tower or consumed the magical fruits ended up fortunate.


    "The tower was supposed to last 24 hours!" one adventurer shouted. "It disappeared too quickly! Someone must have claimed the celestial treasure."


    "What''s going on?"


    "Where is that magic crystal?"


    "The dagger... it is gone..."


    "Haha, I did the right thing, bonding with the sword. This sword is mine."


    The whispers grew louder, each adventurer wondering who among them had walked away with the ultimate prize. Had someone truly managed to claim the fabled Sword of Zurin, or were the stories about the tower fabricated?


    Laura and Seraphina, however, weren''t concerned with the mutterings around them. Their focus was on one thing¡ªfinding Kael. The two women moved through the crowd, their eyes scanning every face, but they couldn''t see him. Panic began to rise in Laura''s chest.


    "Where is he?" she muttered, her voice tight.


    Seraphina placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "He''s fine. He has to be. We''ll find him."


    Meanwhile, Kael had already left the lake in a boat, returning to the treehouse as quickly as possible. He walked inside, his eyes immediately landing on the man still sitting there, waiting for him. The stranger looked up as Kael entered, a curious gleam in his eyes. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Well? Did you find what you were looking for?" the man asked.


    Kael stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "No, I found a couple of magic scrolls." He opened his storage ring, pulling out one scroll at random, handing it over to the man. "Take this one," he said, his voice casual.


    The man took the scroll, examining it briefly. "A magic scroll with a freezing spell. This is a good find, indeed."


    "This one carries the spell of lightning strike." Kael then tossed a second one, watching as the man''s eyes flickered with interest.


    Kael straightened, his gaze hardening. "Look, I tried my best, but this is the most I could do. I don''t have the power to convince my mother-in-law to give up such treasure, either. All I need is information about my sister. Where is she? How about just telling me the territory she was in for these two magic scrolls? You are not losing out on anything here."


    Gabriel, the man sitting before him, merely shrugged as he tossed both of the scrolls at the table, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Sorry, a deal''s a deal. Either the sword or the necklace. If you have nothing, then the deal is off," he said nonchalantly.


    Kael''s patience snapped at once.


    With no Seraphina or Laura at his side, Kael didn''t care to pretend to be weak.


    His hand shot out, grabbing Gabriel by the collar. His anger flared, though he kept his voice low, dangerous. "I don''t care about the deal. You''re going to tell me where she is."


    Gabriel''s smile widened, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Just as I thought, you trained your physical body to the peak due to the lack of your mana reserves. However, you still aren''t a match for me. But fear not, I''ll tell you, alright... if you''ll have to make it out of here alive, that is."


    Kael''s grip tightened, his eyes narrowing. It was then he sensed the presence of a few Tier-6 experts surrounding the house. He knew he was being followed as soon as he boarded the boat, but he had thought little of it. A group of Tier-6 adventurers wasn''t much of a threat to someone like him, anyway.


    "Alive?" Kael muttered, his tone low. "I''m not leaving here without answers."


    Gabriel shook his head, his expression calmer as he freed Kael''s grip from his collar. "Kael, it''s not me you need to worry about. Those aren''t my friends following you." His gaze turned cold, and his voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Those are my targets. The real fishes I was waiting to catch."


    Kael''s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, but before he could react, Gabriel moved toward the door. "Stay inside. You''ll want to stay out of this."


    Kael stood still, his senses heightened as he listened intently from within the treehouse. Gabriel walked out, and Kael watched through the open window, eyes narrowing as Gabriel''s aura began to shift. A wave of energy pulsed from him, revealing his soul realm into Tier-7.


    "Hmm? Why was he suppressing his soul realm? Toying with those clowns?" Kael wondered.


    Gabriel''s voice, calm yet commanding, echoed through the air as he spoke to the assassins surrounding the place. "I''ve been waiting for you, Clowns from the Ark."


    The group of clowns with cone hats¡ªmasked assassins known for their strange, unsettling appearance¡ªdidn''t speak a word. They just stood there, unblinking, their presence almost suffocating in its silence.


    Kael''s gaze locked onto them, trying to make sense of the situation. What did this person want with the Clowns? Why did he say that they were his real targets?


    Was he a bait for the Clowns of Ark? Kael''s eyes widened in realization.


    Just as the tension reached its peak, a new figure emerged from the shadows¡ªa final clown, but this one was different.


    He wore a crown, an odd, regal touch that made him stand apart from the others. Gabriel spoke again, his voice now mixed with a strange familiarity.


    "King Clown."


    The King Clown, towering over the others, turned his masked face toward Gabriel, his presence equally imposing. His voice was deep and raspy, carrying an unsettling calmness. "Who are you?" he asked, his words filled with an unspoken challenge.


    Gabriel''s aura flared once again, pushing his soul realm into Tier-8¡ªmatching the King Clown''s strength exactly. Kael''s frown deepened. "Still pretending? What is this guy playing?"


    Gabriel''s lips curled into a thin smile. "You don''t need to know."


    Without warning, Gabriel raised his hand, and a crackling energy filled the air. The ground trembled as a grand spell sealed itself into the environment, trapping everyone within a massive barrier. The entire area, including the clowns, was caught in the shimmering dome.


    The King Clown''s expression remained impassive as Gabriel''s eyes flickered with cold calculation. "From the beginning, my target was never you, Kael," he said aloud, his eyes glancing at Kael''s figure from the window in the corner. "You were just bait. Bait to draw them out."


    Kael, still inside the room, nodded. "Indeed, it is as I expected. Just because I seemed lucky, it doesn''t make sense for anyone to think that I can claim the Sword of Zurin. I just thought that he figured out my true strength back then."


    "Clowns of Ark," Gabriel continued as if the words were as familiar to him as his own breath. "They''ve been after you for some time now, Kael. They want you to convince Mia to awaken their founder. You asked me where Mia was at. Well, I''ll tell you now. Mia is imprisoned in Clowns of Ark''s Headquarters."

 Chapter 77 77: Gabriels true intentions (2/2)

    Kael''s mind was racing, his thoughts tangled in confusion. Mia? In the Clown of Ark Headquarters? Why? He repeated the words in his head, trying to connect the dots. Why would the Clowns of Ark need her to wake up their founder? What was so special about Mia that he didn''t know?


    At the same time, it also became clear for him why a Rank-2 Clown tried to capture him in those woods. It was all connected to Mia. They didn''t need him or someone put a bounty on the Queen''s son-in-law. Instead, they wanted to capture Mia''s brother so that Mia would do their bidding.


    While this new revelation came as a surprise, the problem hasn''t been solved yet.


    However, he still didn''t know where that Headquarters was located. The Queendom of Elyria spans 2 million square kilometers. Where should he go and search for?


    Knowing that Gabriel is a Supreme Being and this King Clown sent by the organization is only a Tier-8, Kael has no doubt that Gabriel would come out as the winner.


    Kael decided to wait and ask him about the location Mia was held at.


    Meanwhile, the air grew thicker as Gabriel''s spell locked them all in place.


    Gabriel, standing confidently, faced down the King Clown and his followers. The assassins¡ªsilent and still¡ªwaited for orders.


    The King Clown''s frown deepened, his eyes narrowing in anger as he gathered his power.


    He shot forward with a burst of energy, launching a deadly blast of concentrated energy toward Gabriel. But before the attack could even reach its target, Gabriel raised a hand and crushed the incoming energy with ease, his expression calm as ever.


    In an instant, Gabriel''s form shifted, his figure glowing with a brilliant light. Angelic wings erupted from his back, and a golden halo was seen floating over its head.


    His aura surged, pushing his soul realm further into Tier-9 and reaching the peak stage of the Supreme realm. The air crackled with raw power as he spoke, his voice ringing out with an air of finality. "Sorry for giving you some sort of hope, but you never had a chance, human."


    The King Clown recoiled, his grip tightening around his weapons as she called out to her subordinates. "Attack! At will!"


    As the clowns rushed forward, their weapons raised, Gabriel raised his hand once more.


    In a blur of motion, he summoned his light sword, the blade shimmering with an almost divine glow.


    "The Infinite Sword, unleash."


    Behind him, dozens of sword replicas formed, each one gleaming with destructive power.


    "Die."


    With a single motion, Gabriel sent them charging at the attackers.


    The swords sliced through the clowns with deadly precision, killing them all in one strike. Their bodies crumpled to the ground like ragdolls, leaving the battlefield eerily quiet.


    The King Clown, however, managed to block the incoming blades just in time, using his mana reserves to form an energy shield, but not enough to stand against Gabriel''s overwhelming might. The shield was broken, and he crashed to the ground with an injury to his abdomen.


    "Oraaa..."


    With a roar of frustration, the King Clown swung his weapon wildly, charging at Gabriel with a fury born of desperation.


    But before he could land a blow, Gabriel vanished from sight. He reappeared behind the King Clown in the blink of an eye, his fist crashing into the clown''s back with the force of a thunderstrike.


    The impact sent the King Clown crashing into the ground, his body skidding across the dirt. Before he could rise, Gabriel quickly summoned a spell, and light energy ropes ensnared the King Clown, trapping him in place.


    Kael, standing quietly from the window of the treehouse, could see that the battle was over. He stepped outside, his expression neutral as he observed the defeated King Clown lying on the ground, struggling against his restraints.


    He felt a brief sense of relief, knowing he hadn''t needed to reveal his true strength. If he had, there was a chance that Gabriel would have escaped, or worse, the King Clown might have gotten away. It was better this way. For now.


    Gabriel approached the captured King Clown, his steps measured, his eyes cold and calculating. The King Clown, still struggling against the ropes, glared up at him with disdain. Gabriel''s voice rang out, steady and unwavering.


    "My name is Gabriel," he said, his tone carrying the weight of a long-forgotten power. "And I''m from Dawn."


    The King Clown''s eyes widened in shock, a flicker of recognition flashing across his mask. "Dawn?" he spat. "That place was destroyed long ago... by the Dragonlord."


    Gabriel''s face remained stoic as he responded. "Destroyed? Perhaps. But survivors remain."


    The King Clown struggled harder against the ropes, but Gabriel''s gaze never wavered. "I''m going to use you to find your headquarters and retrieve Mia. It doesn''t matter whether you want to tell it yourself or not. I''ll break you down for sure. And if I can''t retrieve her, I''ll make sure to kill her. No matter what, the Monarch of Darkness will not be revived."


    The King Clown''s expression faltered for a moment, but he said nothing.


    However, Kael, still standing just outside the treehouse, overheard Gabriel''s words. He didn''t care about Dawn, Monarch of Darkness, or the dragonlord.


    His mind was wrapped around one thing. This angel wants to kill his sister?


    Kael''s face turned cold, killing intent released from his body without any hesitation while twin daggers appeared in his hands. "Gabriel..."


    However, before he made a move, Gabriel, having secured the King Clown, didn''t even spare a glance at Kael before being enveloped with the Clown in a blinding flash of light.


    By the time Kael came out and reached him, both of them had disappeared.


    Kael''s arms trembled in anger; his dark aura went out of control for a moment. "Dammit. Again and again, my hesitancy is stabbing me in the back."


    After a while;


    Kael returned to the valley where Seraphina, Laura, and the two knights awaited. The reunion was swift but warm, with no time wasted on unnecessary pleasantries. The group gathered in a quiet corner, the atmosphere charged with curiosity about what each of them had discovered during their time in the tower.


    Seraphina broke the silence first, her voice thoughtful. "I ate a peach I found in one of the chambers. My soul realm increased to Tier-7. I can now learn the Salvation Spell of the Church." Her eyes gleamed with the excitement of gaining qualifications to learn the most precious spell of the Radiant Church.


    Laura, holding a small blank tome in her hands, nodded thoughtfully. "I found this blank magic tome. I still need to figure out what it is, but I suspect it holds some secrets." She paused, opening a random magic scroll Kael had taken from the tower. Her fingers brushed over the ancient incantations inscribed in the ancient Orlon language.


    Kael observed her closely, waiting for her reaction. "What does it say?" He asked, despite knowing what it was.


    Laura examined the scroll for a moment longer before she handed it back to Kael. "It''s a weather magic spell. One that allows the user to summon rain in an immediate radius, a cloud to block the sunlight, or even create gusts of wind. Nothing too fancy, but it could come in handy in the right situation."


    Kael tucked the scroll back into his storage ring, his thoughts racing about his sister.


    Seraphina''s brow furrowed in thought. "What do we do now? What about the client who sent us on that quest? He must still be out there."


    Kael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It doesn''t matter anymore. I failed in my quest, and we weren''t powerful enough to convince him. We''ll find another opportunity to track him down through the information guild. Now that we know his appearance, it''ll be easier to find more details." He stood up, determined. "Let''s go home. We''ll figure out what to do."


    The group nodded in agreement, understanding Kael''s decision.


    Meanwhile, far from the valley...


    In a secluded mountain location, Princess Artemis, the doll-faced girl, sat in deep meditation. The tower had disappeared, and with it, any hopes of attaining the sword.


    Since she couldn''t do anything about it, she could only focus on what she was given. Finding a secluded spot in the mountains, she meditated to understand the power she inherited from Zurin.


    Her eyes were closed in concentration as she slowly extended her hand before her.


    The power of chaos swirled in the air, a vibrant energy that danced and hummed with ancient potential.


    With a simple thought, she shaped the energy into a small dagger, its form sharp and sleek. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But then, with another thought, the dagger morphed into a loaf of bread, soft and warm to the touch.


    After hesitating a bit, she took a bite of bread. "Hmm... it tastes exactly like the one I usually have at home." As a faint smile brought to her face, she whispered under her breath, "This power... It''s far more interesting than some celestial treasure."


    As she stood and gazed out into the mountains, something popped up inside her head. She mumbled with a deep frown on her face, "Zurin told me that I should be ready for the time when the Wheel of Light comes into existence. But is it really possible to gather the seven celestial treasures of Zurin? For it to happen, three Empresses needed to be killed, two demigods would need to be killed, and the lost treasure should also be found. Who could do that? And most importantly, who could have gotten the Sword of Zurin? I need to research more about those primordial energies once I return."

 Chapter 78 78: The Thousand Faced Spider (1/4)

    Days went by in a blink of an eye. The shipyard was a racket of noise and movement, the sharp clang of metal striking wood and the rhythmic creak of pulleys lifting beams into place filling the air. The smell of sawdust and salt mixed, a constant reminder of the work that never ceased. Workers moved with newfound urgency, their tired faces betraying the toll of long hours, but their hands did not falter. Gold was a powerful motivator, and Melissa had ensured that no man here had a reason to slacken their pace.


    She and Kael walked the length of the yard, boots grinding against gravel and scattered wood shavings. Alongside them was the captain of the knights deployed to protect the shipyard and its assets while it is still in the middle of renovations.


    "Faster," Captain Kirke commanded, his voice carrying over the din. "I want the hull finished before the next tide."


    A grizzled man near the scaffolding wiped his brow with the back of his arm. "Aye, we''re working on it, sir," he grunted. "You keep the gold coming, we''ll keep the work going."


    Kael gave a brief nod, but his mind was elsewhere. Even amidst the clamor of the shipyard, he felt the weight of a single parchment tucked away in his coat. A simple note, but one that had reshaped his every thought since its arrival.


    We narrowed down the possibility of the Clown of Arks'' HQ. Location: In the Duchy of Searvale.


    The information guild had been thorough, yet frustratingly vague. While they used their extensive network to track down the moments of the Clowns, drawing up a common conjecture, which led to the Duchy of Searvale, it is still not enough. After all, this duchy is over 170,000 square km in area with more than a dozen cities and fifty towns, to even start with.


    It''s been five days since he informed the information guild in secrecy, and he wasn''t sure of his sister''s fate yet. One, the Clown of Ark organization itself. Two, Gabriel from this organization of Dawn who knew her whereabouts clearly.


    Kael exhaled sharply and forced his focus back to the present. He had no choice but to wait, build his resources, be prepared when the time came. For now, this shipyard was his battlefield, and he would see it fortified to build a future.


    Melissa, who was walking with him with her arm locked around his, gave his chest a gentle nudge with her palm. "Kael?"


    As Kael got out of his thoughts, she asked, "What happened?"


    Kael smiled, shaking his head. "Nothing. I''m just wondering about Shiera. Do you think she will look at me in a better light if this business venture becomes successful?"


    "Eh?" Melissa was taken aback for a moment, her movements halting. "Hmm?" As Kael blinked, Melissa forced out a smile, tightening her grip a little and leaning slightly toward his arm. "I don''t know about that but at the very least, she wouldn''t dare to treat you bad."


    Kael smiled and nodded.


    Meanwhile, far away from their location, somewhere deep inside the woods;


    The mist clung to Shiera''s skin like a second layer, damp and suffocating. It coiled around her boots, thick enough that she could barely see the ground beneath her. There were no clear paths here¡ªonly a landscape swallowed by fog, shifting and unfamiliar with every step.


    The lair of the Thousand-Faced Spider was not a nest. It had no tangled webs, no swarms of lesser creatures crawling through its domain. It was if the entire place was devoid of another life apart from the trees.


    Shiera''s fingers hovered over the hilt of her sword, every muscle in her body coiled tight.


    She could hear the others behind her¡ªLeiza, Braddis, and Lirien¡ªmoving cautiously, their breaths shallow, as if they feared drawing the mist too close. They were experienced fighters, but even they were not immune to the pressure in the air, the invisible weight pressing down on them like a phantom''s touch.


    "No webs," Braddis murmured, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Are we sure we came to the right place? It didn''t seem like we entered a spider lair."


    Shiera didn''t answer immediately. Her eyes swept the fog, searching for movement, for something¡ªanything¡ªthat might betray their enemy''s presence. "It doesn''t hunt like others," she finally said. "It doesn''t need to."


    The deeper they ventured, the thicker the mist became, swirling in ghostly tendrils around Shiera''s boots. Every step forward felt like walking into an abyss. The air hung heavy with dampness, each breath tinged with something stale, something wrong.


    "Stay close," Shiera murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Silence.


    She stiffened. No acknowledgment, no murmurs of agreement, not even the shuffle of boots over damp stone. And yet¡ªshe could feel that they were right behind her.


    So why weren''t they responding?


    Her grip tightened around the hilt of her sword. The hair on the back of her neck prickled as she slowed her pace, heart hammering against her ribs.


    "Orin? Leiza? Lirien?" she called, her voice cutting through the unnatural hush.


    Nothing.


    A sick feeling coiled in her stomach. "Something''s wrong." She halted abruptly, muscles tensed, scanning the mist for any flicker of movement. Then¡ª


    A whisper of displaced air.


    Steel flashed toward her ribs. She twisted just in time, the blade slicing through empty air where she had stood a heartbeat before.


    Her attacker turned out to be Orin. He didn''t hesitate, his face devoid of recognition, his strikes precise, mechanical as he continued to attack.


    "What the hell¡ª?!" Shiera''s shout cut off as Lirien lunged from the left, her twin daggers aimed for her throat.


    The Princess ducked, pivoted, barely deflecting the attack before Leiza''s sword came down from above. Shiera raised her own just in time, the impact sending a jarring vibration up her arm.


    "Arghhh¡­ Guys, what''s wrong with you all? Wake up¡­"


    *Swoosh*


    A broadsword slashed at her in response.


    Shiera countered, her blade slashing across Orin''s arm. He bled but didn''t even flinch. Didn''t slow.


    "It seemed as if their minds were taken over by something. I need to look for a place to counterattack properly." Shiera steeled her heart. She clenched her jaw, parrying, dodging, countering¡ªeach movement precise, each strike designed to incapacitate, not kill.


    She was the strongest among them, her tier-8 skills honed for moments like this. Yet, no matter how many times she disarmed them, cut them, forced them back, they kept coming. Their non-vital wounds meant nothing. Their movements never faltered. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Step by step, strike by strike, she was being pushed back, moved through the shifting fog in a certain direction. Toward where the mist thinned, where the air grew colder.


    Soon, her feet splashed against something unexpected¡ªwater. A stream, hidden beneath the mist''s suffocating embrace. Beyond it, the vague outline of a cave was seen. "Let''s go there¡­"


    A final strike then came from Orin. Princess Shiera twisted, using his momentum against him, knocking him off balance before darting past him.


    She dove into the cave, her breath ragged, her hands trembling. The moment she crossed the threshold, the air shifted. The mist hung outside, coiling, waiting. It did not cross.


    Shiera pressed her back against the damp stone, blade still raised. Her team stood at the edge of the stream, motionless, their faces hidden beneath the veil of fog. Watching.


    No. Not watching.


    Waiting.


    Her heart pounded against her ribs as she wiped the sweat from her brow, her mind racing.


    "What in the fuck had happened to them?"


    And more importantly¡ªhow the hell was she going to get them back?


    Shiera''s breath came in sharp, controlled bursts as she pressed herself deeper into the cave''s embrace. The damp air clung to her skin, and the steady trickle of water from unseen openings echoed in the chamber''s silence.


    *Tap* Tap* Tap*


    A set of footsteps started to sound from behind her teammates.


    She raised her sword in alert as her team entered the cave one by one. Their movements were steady, unfaltering, despite the deep slashes and gashes she had inflicted upon them earlier. Blood dripped from their wounds, yet they showed no pain. Their breathing remained even, their postures eerily stiff as puppets.


    The flickering light from bioluminescent fungi lining the cave walls cast eerie shadows across their faces. That was when the princess saw it.


    Her eyes widened. "What the¡­"


    Their skin had turned a deathly pale¡ªalmost unnatural, as if drained of life. Their faces were the same, the same sharp angles, the same features she had known for years, yet something was wrong. Their eyes¡ªslits.


    Not human pupils. But something that of a snake''s golden eyes with vertical slits.


    Shiera felt her stomach twist. In an instant, she realized that it wasn''t her comrades at all. She lifted her blade, pointing it directly at them, voice sharp and unyielding. "What have you done to them, monster?"


    The three figures stood unmoving. Their expressions were neutral, unblinking, as if they didn''t even register her words.


    Then, the temperature in the cave dipped. A slow, crawling presence finally slithered through the space, like unseen hands running over the stone walls.


    A shadow moved behind them.


    Emerging from the darkness, a figure materialized. It stood tall¡ªsix feet, humanoid in the upper body, but grotesquely wrong from the waist down. A spider''s lower half, sleek and segmented, its limbs clicking softly against the stone as it moved.


    Its upper form was eerily human, clad in flowing silk-like robes, its face hidden behind a white, featureless mask. No eyes, no mouth, just an emotionless void staring back.


    Yet somehow, it smiled.


    Shiera''s fingers twitched around her sword.


    The creature moved gracefully, placing long, delicate hands upon the shoulders of two of the pale figures standing before her. Its fingers curled around them almost affectionately, as if embracing old friends.


    "Please, calling me a mere monster is a bit much, don''t you think, lady? Call me the name everyone gave me: Thousand-Faced Spider," the creature said, its voice smooth, too human, and too seductive.


    Shiera''s jaw clenched.


    It tilted its head slightly, as if amused, then let out a soft chuckle. "From the moment you entered my lair, everything has been under my control."

 Chapter 79 79: The Thousand Faced Spider (2/4)

    The Thousand-Faced Spider leaned forward, its presence suffocating, its faceless mask only inches from her so-called comrades. Its fingers tightened on them as it spoke, voice honeyed and cruel.


    "Your friends? Oh, dear swordswoman." It let out a mocking hum. "They are inside my prison. Locked away. These ones are merely their copies, created to confuse you and corner you into my lair. And they did."


    The pale figures stood still, as if waiting.


    Shiera''s pulse roared in her ears. "Where?" she demanded, stepping forward, her sword gleaming in the dim light.


    The creature let out another quiet laugh, tilting its head in mock sympathy. It tapped one of the pale figures on the temple, almost lovingly. "I won''t tell you that."


    The Thousand-Faced Spider then slowly stepped forward, releasing its hold on the figures. It spread its arms, its silk-like robes shifting with its movements.


    "Prove your worth, swordswoman. To get to your real friends, you have to get past these three."


    The three figures then stepped forward. Their eyes, lifeless slits, locked onto her.


    Shiera''s grip tightened on her blade. Her breath stilled as she poured mana into the blade. A faint glow traced along its blade, illuminating the dim cavern with a cold, silver light. Her eyes, once filled with hesitation, now looked dead cold.


    "Thank you," she said, her voice low but firm.


    "Hmm?" The Thousand-Faced Spider tilted its head in amusement. "For what?"


    Shiera raised her sword. "If these aren''t my friends, then I have nothing to worry about."


    Without another word, she moved.


    Her feet dug into the stone floor as she launched forward, her sword cutting through the stale air in a perfect arc. One of the false teammates, Lirien, stepped up, blade meeting hers in a sharp clash. But Shiera''s power wasn''t just in Tier-8. She is in the advanced stage of the realm, which was entirely a whole realm above Lirien''s. Her mana-infused blade burned with thick, raw energy, slicing cleanly through the opposing weapon as if it were made of rotted wood.


    The next instant, her sword carved through the figure''s abdomen in a vertical slash. Blood sprayed, hot and real, splattering against the cave floor.


    Not hesitating, Shiera conjured a flaming spear in her free left hand¡ªalmost instantly before she drove it straight through the throat of the one she had cut down.


    The scent of burning flesh filled the chamber.


    The figure choked, a strangled gasp escaping as its body collapsed.


    Shiera''s face was stone¡ªcold, unreadable, merciless.


    And then¡ª


    The illusion faded all of a sudden.


    The corpse at her feet no longer had slit pupils, no longer bore that pale, lifeless skin. Instead, staring back at her with wide, glassy eyes was Lirien.


    Shiera''s breath caught in her throat. "Li¡­"


    Blood pooled around the lifeless body, the very same blood that had once pulsed through the veins of her comrade, her friend.


    Shiera''s hand that was grabbing the sword trembled uncontrollably. "No¡­"


    A slow, deliberate chuckle echoed through the cavern followed by it. The Thousand-Faced Spider remained poised, untouched, its blank mask watching her with something that felt like delight. "Oh, how utterly amusing."


    Shiera''s breath came in ragged gasps. The weight of her sword felt unbearable in her grip.


    "It''s funny, isn''t it?" the creature mused, its voice dripping with cruel amusement. "How easily you believed me. How quickly you accepted my words as truth."


    A quiet gasp left Shiera''s lips. Her chest tightened, her mind reeling.


    The Thousand-Faced Spider stepped forward with slow, measured grace, its many legs clicking softly against the stone. "You killed your own friend, swordswoman."


    Shiera took a step back, her body stiff with disbelief.


    "Indeed, you are just as young as you look¡ªperhaps an arrogant genius who is too naive to understand reality." The creature let out another laugh, rich and taunting. "You are intelligent but not wise. Had you relied on your senses, you could have sensed their mana signatures, like the same one you trusted upon as you were cornered in this cave. No monster in the wild, I mean, no monster has the power to copy one''s mana signature, young lady. This happens when one is intelligent but not wise enough."


    Shiera''s hands curled into fists. Her vision blurred¡ªnot from exhaustion, not from pain, but from the rage swelling inside her. Tears welled in her eyes, but they did not fall.


    The Thousand-Faced Spider leaned in, voice a whisper of mockery.


    "Tell me, young lady¡ª"


    The smile in its voice deepened.


    "How does it feel?"


    The cave was silent.


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    Rageful Shiera screamed. "Aaaah¡­"


    She was about to charge toward her but the other two teammates stood before her like puppets. Shiera was forced to halt right away. Her hands trembling, this time in rage and frustration.


    "Hahaha¡­


    Laughter filled the cave once again, reverberating through the stone walls like a chorus of unseen specters. The Thousand-Faced Spider''s voice carried an eerie amusement, as if this was all just a game.


    Shiera barely had a moment to steady her shaking hands before the remaining two lunged. Their movements were unnaturally precise as earlier, their blank expressions unchanging even as they wielded their weapons with lethal intent.


    A surge of mana coursed through her veins at once. She slammed her sword into the ground, releasing a wave of freezing energy through the blade.


    Ice burst outward, swallowing the cave floor, the walls, and¡ªmore importantly¡ªthe two figures before her.


    Their bodies stiffened mid-strike, ice creeping over their limbs like a hungry predator. Within seconds, they were frozen solid, trapped in a glacial prison.


    Shiera exhaled sharply, her breath visible in the sudden chill. But the victory was hollow.


    Because her friend was killed in her own hands. And the Thousand-Faced Spider was nowhere to be seen. The monster wasn''t caught by her freezing spell.


    Its laughter had not ceased. If anything, it had grown deeper, richer, as if this had been exactly what it wanted. "Oh, very good," the voice cooed, echoing from all directions. "A fine display of power, swordswoman. Never expected to encounter a dual element user. But, do you think that''s enough?"

 Chapter 80 80: The Thousand Faced Spider (3/4)

    Shiera''s eyes darted around the cavern. The mist coiled at the edges of her vision, shifting, twisting. Her heart pounded, but her mind remained sharp.


    The Spider was not strong¡ªnot in the way of brute force, not in the way of beasts that ruled through raw might.


    Yet, it had lived for centuries. It had survived. And that alone made it more dangerous than any mindless monster.


    As if reading her thoughts, the creature''s voice slithered through the air, smooth and taunting. "Do you wonder why? How I have thrived here for so long, despite the countless warriors who came before you?" S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A whisper brushed against her ear¡ªtoo close, though no one was there. "Because they all failed."


    Shiera clenched her jaw.


    The voice danced around her, shifting from one place to another, as if the mist itself spoke. "I am not the strongest. But I do not need to be. I have no army, no underlings, and yet, here I stand."


    A beat of silence.


    Then the voice darkened, a low purr of satisfaction. "Would you like to know why?"


    Shiera remained still, her grip on her sword unwavering.


    "Because I have something far greater than strength. I have skill¡ª"


    The ice prison around her frozen teammates trembled slightly.


    "¡ªand I have patience."


    Shiera''s stomach twisted. "Where is it?"


    Then, the proposal came.


    "Seeing that you have great potential, I''ll have a proposal for you."


    The cave seemed to shrink around her, the walls pressing closer, the air growing heavier.


    The Thousand-Faced Spider chuckled, slow and deliberate. "Two choices." A pause, just long enough to stretch the dread in her chest. "One: Give up that sword of yours as it looked quite precious. And you choose one of your precious friends. Leave with them. The other dies. And you can walk away in peace."


    Shiera''s blood ran cold.


    The voice smiled¡ªshe could hear it. "Or¡­ resist. Both will perish. And you will have to find a way to escape on your own."


    Silence.


    The weight of the words settled like lead in her lungs.


    "Oh¡ª" the voice added as an afterthought, "and before you think of escaping through other means, let me remind you¡ª"


    A soft, mocking hum.


    "Flight, teleportation, anything that might take you out of this place? It simply doesn''t work here."


    Shiera stood frozen, her mind racing.


    A choice.


    An impossible, merciless choice.


    And the Thousand-Faced Spider waited.


    Shiera''s grip tightened around the hilt of her sword, her knuckles turning white. She didn''t flinch, didn''t waver, even as the cold weight of the spider''s words settled over her. The air was thick with unseen malice, the mist curling at the edges of the cave like the breath of some slumbering beast.


    Then, she brandished her sword.


    The steel gleamed under the dim glow of flickering mana, its surface coated with the lingering frost from her last attack. Her stance was firm, unwavering.


    "I don''t need to escape," she said, voice like tempered steel. "Not when I''m facing a cowardly spider like you. I just have to seal my friends in a freezing state."


    The cave went still.


    Then¡ª


    Laughter.


    Not mocking, not enraged¡ªsimply amused.


    The Thousand-Faced Spider''s voice carried no offense, no indignation. If anything, it seemed pleased. "Ah, young swordswoman," the voice crooned, smooth as silk. "Such boldness. You truly are green."


    The mist stirred, swirling with unseen motion, though Shiera still couldn''t pinpoint the creature''s exact location.


    "Cowardly? Perhaps."


    The voice drifted, shifting from one side of the cavern to the other, as if the walls themselves whispered.


    "But tell me¡ª"


    The clicking of something sharp against stone. "What is the value of pride, if they are dead?" The words slithered into her ears, wrapping around her mind like a noose. "What is the value of honor, if it brings only a shallow grave?"


    Another shift in the mist. A shadow flickered in the corner of her vision. "I do not mind being called a coward, Lady Shiera."


    A whisper¡ªjust behind her. "I will be a coward, so long as I outlive my peers."


    Then, suddenly, without any warning, Shiera''s neck was bitten by something invisible and the poison seeped into her body, rapidly started spreading.


    "You¡­" Shiera''s eyes widened in horror as poison spread too fast to the point that her whole body numbed in the matter of seconds. The sword fell down from her grip and she collapsed to the ground, supporting herself with a fist. As she gasped for breath, her skin turning green and she started losing consciousness, The Thousand Faced Spider materialized. Its blank face changed to Shiera''s and she licked her lips while clenching her hands. "This power¡­ It''s awesome, young lady. I''ll put it to a good use. Don''t worry about it."


    Shiera could no longer speak or support herself. She directly collapsed to the ground, her mana is trying to resist the effects of the poison but couldn''t block it either way.


    As she was about to lose her consciousness, surprisingly, the face of Kael appeared in her head. Not her mother, Not her father, and not her sisters. It was Kael who she thought in her last moments. And for the first time since she got acquainted with Kael, which is like a dozen years, she thought something positive about him, although it is more like self criticism. "At the very least, there is one person who won''t be too sad that I died. We don''t have a connection formed and neither have I ever acknowledged him as my husband. If anything, I only belittled him because I hated him. How couldn''t I? He is the world to Sister Mia, who spent her entire life for his sake instead of living for her own. But then again, he wasn''t the one at fault I wish I could apo¡­"


    *Zzz* Zzz*


    Her final thoughts before death were interrupted by the sudden appearance of a mass of black energy. Thousand Faced Spider, who was waiting for Shiera''s death in order to consume her and steal all of her abilities, also couldn''t help but stare in the direction of vibrations¡ªfollowed by the appearance of something that looked like a male but not human, just concentrated energy and nothing else.


    The black mass of energy set its eyes on the monster, which had its amusement disappeared and developed a deep frown.

 Chapter 81 81: The Thousand Faced Spider (4/4)

    The frozen battlefield created by Shiera lay still, stretching across the ground like the grasping hands of the fallen. The mist of frost hung heavy in the air, swirling with every motion of the combatants.


    The Thousand-Faced Spider watched the black mass of energy that transformed into something humanoid, its countless black eyes narrowing. The monster had fought many warriors, devoured many powerful beings, and stolen their faces, their skills, their very essence. This one, however... seemed like an impossible task.


    With inhuman speed, the warrior lunged forward, daggers flashing through the frozen mist. The Spider retaliated instantly, its grotesque limbs slamming against the ground, sending out deadly shockwaves. But the warrior was faster.


    The Thousand Faced Spider, changing her face from Shiera into some other woman, hissed, shifting its form fluidly, invoking one of the countless stolen techniques¡ª"Blazing Sky Piercer."


    A sudden burst of crimson fire erupted from its fangs, cutting through the air. But before the flames could reach their target¡ª


    The warrior vanished.


    The next moment, the sound of slicing flesh echoed through the battlefield as one of the Spider''s legs was cleaved off, blood spraying onto the ice. *Scraaaa* The creature screeched, retreating for a fraction of a second before changing its face into a man and went on regenerating instantly¡ªthe stolen healing abilities working at full force. In no time, a new leg grew from the cut-off part.


    It shifted tactics, weaving together a barrage of different stolen abilities. Sonic Boom Strike. Phantom Spear Manifestation. Venomous Rain. Each attack flowed seamlessly into the next.


    And yet¡ªnone of them landed.


    The warrior danced through the chaos, moving with a precision that the Spider couldn''t comprehend. Each time it attacked, the daggers struck back twice as fast. Each wound that healed, another deeper wound was inflicted. The constant healing of its wounds slowed down its regeneration power eventually.


    The Thousand Faced Spider was losing. Instead of a look of amusement on its face, there was a look mixed with anger and frustration.


    "It''s a powerful demigod expert, someone I couldn''t win. There''s no point in fighting head on." The Thousand-Faced Spider thought, realizing it was outmatched.


    It turned its attention to Shiera''s motionless body, calculating its only remaining strategy to press her opponent¡ªhostage. If it could reach her before the warrior could react, it might still survive.


    It moved in Shiera''s direction.


    But so did he.


    In an instant, the stranger was already there, standing protectively over Shiera''s fallen form before the monster even crossed halfway the distance. The stranger raised the twin daggers, staring at the monster as if it was a dead corpse already.


    Realizing that victory was impossible, the panic-stricken beast abandoned the fight. It turned, skittering away into the thick mist, hoping to escape. Relief flooded its mind as the battlefield grew distant and the warrior never chased after it.


    However, as it crossed its domain, the mist woods, the monster captured a human who was sitting there in front of a campfire. It was a man. Kael Moonstone, in his assassin attire.


    It stopped while Kael seemingly turned towards it as if he just sensed its presence.


    His hood cast a shadow over his masked face, his posture relaxed, almost indifferent. But the spider could feel it¡ªthat same ominous aura.


    The Thousand-Faced Spider hesitated, its countless eyes narrowing. A realization struck it like a dagger to the core.


    "You¡­ You smell the same as that shadow earlier," it hissed, its voice layered with the echoes of a hundred stolen tongues. "You carry the same silhouette. But you¡­ are weak. Tier-7 at most. And yet, I couldn''t defeat you. How is that possible? Are you another being¡­ or the same one?"


    Kael tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "I have no idea what you''re talking about." His voice was calm, steady. Slowly, he reached for the broadsword lying beside him and warned. "I don''t know what you are, monster. But, I''m not in any mood to battle. I came here for some peace time. So, if you don''t bother me, I''ll let you go on your way."


    The Thousand-Faced Spider let out a dry, chittering laugh. "You? A Tier-7 warning me to stay away?"


    Without warning, its neck shot forward, stretching unnaturally like a serpentine as it lunged at Kael, aiming to devour him in one strike.


    Kael''s arms crossed in front of him as if caught off guard, but the moment the spider''s maw reached him¡ªit just passed through him.


    The Thousand-Faced Spider recoiled in shock, its head whipping around. "Wha¡­"


    And then¡ª


    Kael, the real one, materialized behind its body. This one held the Sword of Zurin, its dark energy pulsing ominously. Before the spider could react, Kael swung the blade in a single, effortless motion.


    A crescent arc of black energy ripped through the air.


    The Thousand-Faced Spider''s legs¡ªall of them¡ªwere severed in an instant.


    *Scraaaaaa*


    A guttural shriek tore through the woods as its massive body collapsed onto the frozen ground. The creature writhed, its severed head retracting back into its ruined form, unable to comprehend what had just happened.


    Kael stepped forward, his expression unreadable beneath his mask. His voice, however, was laced with ice. "You''ve lived for centuries, stealing power, deceiving others¡­ Did you forget that humans were the original liars of the planet? We deceive to any extent to fulfill our needs. Tell me, how does it feel to be on the receiving end? You feel frustrated, aren''t you?"


    A slow, dreadful realization dawned upon the Thousand-Faced Spider.


    It had been completely deceived.


    And this man¡­ was no Tier-7 warrior.


    The Thousand-Faced Spider, now crippled, let out a strained, hissing breath. Even as its severed limbs twitched on the frozen ground, it did not beg for mercy. Instead, it simply stared at the man before it with its many glistening eyes.


    "I only did what was necessary," it rasped, its voice carrying the echoes of countless souls it had devoured. "You humans entered my lair with the intent to kill. Yes, fooling the intruders did amuse me, but I did not hunt for amusement. I only fought to survive."


    Kael, as the darkness within him stirred, took a slow step forward. His expression did not waver, but the aura around him grew heavier, suffocating, drenched in a cold, quiet fury.


    "Survival?" his voice was low, measured, yet beneath it was the storm of something much darker.


    He lifted the Sword of Zurin, its dark energy crackling as if resonating with his wrath.


    "While I can understand your point, but my wife happened to be your latest victim. And I''m merely enacting the vengeance of the pain you inflicted upon her."


    The Thousand-Faced Spider tensed. "She¡­ she was your wife? Then, why haven''t you come before? Couldn''t you have saved her and her friends?"


    Kael did not explain. He did not need to.


    With one decisive swing, the Sword of Zurin cleaved through the air, unleashing an arc of pure darkness. The energy surged forward, unstoppable, inevitable.


    Before the Thousand-Faced Spider could even react¡ªbefore it could muster any of the thousand stolen skills it possessed¡ª


    It was severed in two.


    A wet, sickening silence filled the frozen battlefield. The halves of the monster collapsed, lifeless, onto the ice.


    Kael stood still for a moment, watching as the dark energy from the sword slowly faded into the mist.


    "And now the justice has been served."


    Kael exhaled, his breath visible in the lingering cold mist. He stared down at the Sword of Zurin, still humming faintly in his grip, its dark energy crackling softly along the blade''s length.


    He frowned, flexing his fingers around the hilt before muttering, "This sword is ridiculously strong... but damn, it''s heavy and awkward to swing. I like my daggers more. They are sleek and comfortable."


    As if in response, the sword glowed momentarily, a deep, resonant hum vibrating through the air.


    Kael blinked, surprised. Through their soul connection, he could feel that the sword of Zurin was quite displeased by his comment.


    A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Ah¡­ sorry about that. Didn''t mean to offend you."


    The humming died down, and he felt the energy settle, as though the sword had accepted his apology.


    Shaking his head in mild amusement, Kael slid the sword back into its sheath before turning his gaze toward the battlefield, where his energy form remained. His expression darkened as he sighed, watching over Shiera''s motionless body.


    "It''s a good thing I was close by¡­ Otherwise, I would have lost Shiera today."


    Meanwhile, his energy form, still under his direct control, hovered over Shiera''s unconscious body, its presence pulsating with dark energy. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Its focus was clear¡ªit was expelling the toxic gas that had invaded her system.


    The process was slow, careful. He could feel the poison resisting, clinging desperately to her mana flow, but his energy was persistent, methodically pushing the toxin out, unraveling its grip on her body.


    The energy clone silently watched the progress for a while.


    Eventually, a sudden gasp broke the stillness.


    Shiera''s eyes snapped open, and she shot up into a sitting position, her breath ragged. A sharp chill ran through her body, remnants of the poison''s effect still lingering in her nerves. But, her revitalized mana managed to expel it out of her system.


    The energy clone tilted its head slightly, as if acknowledging her awakening, before vanishing in a blur of motion, streaking away into the frozen mist.


    Shiera''s heart pounded.


    She didn''t know whether to feel relieved or threatened.


    Staring after the disappearing figure, she murmured, "I only know one person said to have mastered the art of manifesting a physical energy clone out of their mana¡­"


    Her fingers curled into fists as an old memory surfaced.


    "Mother''s greatest enemy¡­ Assassin K."


    A chilling thought crept into her mind.


    "Is it him¡­ or someone else?"

 Chapter 82 82: The Alchemist Request

    After a while, Kael walked through the woods, his lord''s attire now back in place. His hand moved in a casual wave, and from the shadows, Nyx¡ªhis spectral wolf¡ªemerged, padding silently beside him. Its presence wasn''t to scare the monsters that could be roaming around, but a part of acting as Lord Moonstone.


    Their camp was about twenty kilometers away, nestled in the same mountain range. As he approached, he could already hear Laura''s voice, sharp and filled with frustration. She was pacing back and forth, complaining to herself.


    The moment she spotted him, she rushed forward, fuming.


    "Hubby, where have you been?!" she snapped, hands on her hips. "You said you''d be back in a few minutes, and now it''s been over half an hour!"


    Kael rubbed the back of his neck, feeling awkward. "Uh¡­ I just went further away. It felt a bit¡­ embarrassing to go pee, nearby."


    Laura narrowed her eyes. Not convinced.


    "You disappeared into the woods, alone, for thirty minutes. What if a monster attacked you? What if assassins were waiting? We didn''t even bring any knights with us!"


    Kael gave a small shrug, gesturing at Nyx. "I had Nyx with me. She would have looked after me. She is a Tier-7 monster you know."


    The spectral wolf grunted in response, as if it was complaining that it wasn''t a guard. Kael gave a side glare to it and the monster averted its gaze with a low whimper.


    Meanwhile, Laura crossed her arms. Still unimpressed.


    "Nyx is a lone beast," she retorted. "No matter how strong it was, what could it do if there were multiple enemies? A pack of monsters? A group of assassins? You can''t just disappear like that!"


    Kael sighed, knowing he can''t get out of this argument that easily. Instead of arguing logic with a woman, it is best to admit defeat and stay silent.


    Just as Kael was about to give an apology, Brianna, the mercenary team captain, let out a chuckle and crossed her arms.


    "Look, I get it, Lord Moonstone," she said, tilting her head. "Being the only guy in a group full of women, you probably wanted some privacy and walked a bit far away from the campsite. That''s understandable. But wandering off so far that none of us could sense your presence anymore? That''s just reckless and foolish."


    She gave him a pointed look.


    "You''re just a Tier-1, Lord Moonstone. Do you have any idea how many toxic plants grow in these mountains? Even a simple venomous vine could kill you if you weren''t careful. The monster could handle monsters but it cannot handle toxic plants and gases."


    Before Kael could even open his mouth, Laura whirled around, eyes flashing.


    "Butt out, Captain Brianna!" she snapped at the captain, all of a sudden.


    Brianna frowned, taken aback, but Laura wasn''t done.


    "It''s not your place to lecture my husband," she said firmly. "Only I get to scold him. Got that?"


    Silence fell over the group. Even Brianna, a Tier-7 warrior, seemed momentarily surprised.


    Nearby, Penelope, Laura''s friend and the client who hired the mercenaries, sighed and gave a quick bow. "I apologize," Penelope said. "I''ll make sure it doesn''t happen again."


    Laura turned to her, voice cool but sharp. "As your friend, I expect you to ensure that none of your hired goons make these kinds of comments in the future."


    Brianna said nothing, her frown deepening, but she didn''t argue back.


    Kael, who still hadn''t said a single word, barely had time to react before Laura grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward their tent.


    "Come on," she muttered. "Let me check if you were exposed to any toxins."


    Kael sighed as he was dragged away.


    As Laura disappeared into the tent with Kael, the air remained tense between the remaining group.


    Penelope let out a small sigh and turned to Brianna. "I''m sorry for Laura''s reaction," she said, offering an apologetic look.


    Brianna, arms crossed, merely shrugged.


    "None taken," she replied. "She''s an imperial princess, after all. It''s obvious she wouldn''t want ''commoners'' like us speaking in such a tone to her husband¡ªthe Queen''s son-in-law."


    Her words were calm, but there was a hint of bitterness beneath them.


    She then glanced toward the tent, her voice lowering slightly. "But¡­ she should remember where we are. This isn''t the capital. This isn''t some noble''s estate where her word is absolute. We''re in the wilderness. Monsters are everywhere. If something happens, she''ll have to depend on our team for protection."


    Penelope could only give an awkward smile, not sure how to respond.


    She understood both sides, but this situation was a mess.


    After spending the night in the mountains, the group descended from the wilderness without encountering any trouble. The journey back was uneventful, and by the time they reached the nearest town, the sun had already begun its slow descent beyond the horizon.


    As soon as they entered the inn, Penelope turned to Kael, adjusting her satchel, her expression shifting to one of business rather than casual conversation.


    "As you already know, I need your help with two things," she stated firmly.


    Kael nodded, remembering the contents of the quest, although it only contained vague information.


    Basically, this person named Penelope isn''t just some random traveler tagged along with them. She was a researcher, the client who had actually hired them for this expedition. The whole purpose of this mission had been to collect the sap of a Thyrelm tree, a rare ingredient she needed to refine a special tonic, which they were doing all day.


    She had chosen to hire mercenaries instead of adventurers for a simple reason¡ªmercenaries cared only about money. They were muscle-for-hire, nothing more. Unlike adventurers, who were bound to report anything unusual to their guild, mercenaries asked no questions as long as they were paid.


    As for why Kael is here, of course, he is a merchant but that''s not the important factor. The fact she chose him is because she was Laura''s friend and Penelope was a brilliant researcher, but like most in her field, she wasn''t the most outgoing person when it came to business. Researchers preferred working with familiar people rather than trusting strangers. That was why Kael was here, despite the fact that he is a rookie merchant.


    Of course, another reason was that Kael was the Queen''s son-in-law and his name carried a lot of weight. If trouble occurs, she could use him, except that she never thought Laura would tag along with her husband, too.


    Back to the present, Kael was given two jobs. First, secure an alchemist lab in this town for three days. She''ll need a proper space to refine the tonic and test its properties.


    That made sense. An ordinary inn wasn''t suitable for conducting alchemical experiments, especially with volatile ingredients like Thyrelm sap.


    "And second?" Kael asked. This was the request that was kept vague in the quest parchment.


    "If my formula is successful, I need you to find a market for the tonic¡ªsecure deals in advance if possible. The more buyers I have lined up, the easier it will be to get more funding for my research."


    Kael rubbed his chin in thought. "I guess that could be done. By the time you had completed the recipe, I could bring a couple of buyers using our influence, but the sale entirely depends on the prototype you will prepare."


    Penelope adjusted her glasses and nodded. "That goes without saying, Lord Moonstone."


    Sometime later;


    Kael and Laura walked through the bustling commercial district, their pace slow and relaxed despite the task at hand. The town was lively, with merchants calling out their wares and customers haggling over prices.


    Laura clung to Kael''s arm, her fingers intertwined with his, making no effort to hide her affection.


    "You don''t have to come with me, you know. The town is safe," Kael muttered, glancing at her as they strolled past a row of potion shops.


    "Of course, it is." Laura smiled mischievously. "I''m protecting you. Without Nyx around, someone might snatch you away. You remembered last time we were in town and that lady tried to do that?"


    Kael sighed but didn''t argue. He knew better. Once Laura made up her mind, there was no point in protesting.


    Anyway, their goal was simple: find a suitable alchemist lab for rent within their budget¡ª300 gold coins for three days. That meant 100 gold per day at most.


    However, they couldn''t just rent any empty space. Since Penelope was working on a new elixir formula, there was a high chance of explosions or accidental chemical reactions. That meant the lab had to meet several requirements:


    Thick walls to contain any accidents.


    Not in a crowded area to avoid harming civilians.


    A standalone building, not part of a larger complex with other shops. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This is harder than I thought," Laura commented, scanning the signs outside each shop.


    Kael nodded in agreement, already feeling the weight of the task. Most alchemy labs either charged too much or were too close to public areas. He''d have to negotiate hard if they wanted a decent deal.


    As they continued their search for an alchemist lab, Laura suddenly stopped in front of a clothing store. Her eyes gleamed as she gazed at the luxurious fabrics displayed behind the glass.


    "Let''s take a look inside," she said, pulling Kael in without waiting for a response.


    Kael sighed but followed along. Shopping wasn''t exactly his idea of fun, but he knew better than to argue.


    Inside, the store was filled with rolls of exquisite fabric, each shimmering under the warm lantern light. Laura ran her fingers along a deep blue silk embroidered with golden threads, her face lighting up with appreciation.

 Chapter 83 83: Encountering the one that looks like his mother

    After some bargaining with the shopkeeper, she managed to purchase a selection of high-quality fabrics for a thousand gold coins¡ªa price much lower than what they would have paid in the capital.


    "This is a steal," she mused, handing over the payment.


    Kael only nodded. He didn''t understand fashion, but if Laura was happy, that was what mattered.


    Once they left the store, Kael led her toward a bookstore, much to Laura''s surprise.


    "A bookstore?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Yeah, I want to pick up some novels for Melissa," Kael replied. "Something she probably hadn''t read it."


    Laura frowned slightly but said nothing. She wasn''t exactly thrilled about her husband buying gifts for a wife other than her, but she knew how hard Melissa had been working lately¡ªmanaging the finances of the Moonstone Estate and overseeing the progress of the shipyard. Not to mention the fact that she was close with her and it is not like her competitive relationship with their eldest sister.


    "She deserves a small gift," Kael added, as if sensing Laura''s reluctance.


    After a moment of silence, Laura sighed. "Fine. Let''s not take too long. We are here on a quest, after all."


    Kael narrowed his eyes, glancing at her. "Where was that time when you spent two hours in that clothing store, huh?" He spoke in his head, keeping his thoughts to himself in the end.


    After spending some time asking around, Kael and Laura finally found a suitable place¡ªa small alchemist lab available for rent.


    The location was beneath a common two-story residence, with a large metal shutter partially closed. A wooden board outside displayed the rental details:


    10 gold coins per hour (if rented for less than 6 hours)


    8 gold coins per hour (if rented between 6 to 12 hours)


    5 gold coins per hour (if rented for more than 12 hours)


    Additionally, the board clearly stated that the entire amount had to be paid in advance and that the lab was available only between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.


    Kael stepped forward and knocked on the half-closed shutter. There was a brief moment of silence before it was pulled open.


    Standing before them was a slender, red-haired woman, possibly in her late thirties.


    Kael''s breath caught in his throat. For a moment, he was frozen in place.


    She wasn''t identical, but her features¡ªher face shape, the curve of her eyes, even the way she stood¡ªstrongly reminded him of his mother.


    A strange feeling gripped his chest.


    Laura, noticing his reaction, gave him a puzzled look before clearing her throat. "Excuse us, but we''re here to inquire about the lab rental."


    The woman glanced between them before nodding. "Come in."


    The red-haired woman welcomed Kael and Laura inside, gesturing for them to inspect the place at their leisure. The space was well-maintained, though it had an air of frequent use, the faint scent of herbs and minerals lingering in the air.


    The downstairs area, situated beneath the two-story residence, was neatly divided into three rooms. The first, facing the entrance, resembled a small office, complete with a desk, bookshelves filled with alchemical texts, and a few neatly stacked scrolls.


    "This is where I handle transactions and store my records. Of course, you aren''t allowed to peek into them," the woman explained, crossing her arms as she watched them take in their surroundings.


    Beyond the office, two doors led to separate rooms. The door to the right opened into a spacious alchemy lab. Kael immediately noted its impressive features¡ªperfect ventilation to allow smoke to escape, a temperature control spell embedded into the walls, and reinforced flooring designed to withstand explosions. It was the ideal setup for an alchemist.


    The room was fully equipped with various alchemical tools: an alembic for distillation, a retort for refining essences, crucibles for high-heat experiments, glass vials and flasks of different shapes and sizes, a furnace with an athanor, a charcoal burner, and even scales with precise weights. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even the finer details weren''t overlooked¡ªglass stirring rods, filtration papers, astrological charts, candles, and incense lined the worktables. Everything an alchemist could need was here, except for a personal cauldron, which Penelope would bring herself.


    Kael nodded in approval, exchanging a glance with Laura. This was better than what Penelope asked for. Moreover, the budget is even less than what his client had allotted for it. Hence, by law, whatever remaining goes into his pocket.


    "Not bad," Laura admitted, running her fingers along a well-polished worktable. "The place looks sturdy enough to handle a few explosions."


    The woman chuckled. "It''s been tested more times than I''d like. I take pride in keeping it in top condition. Now, about the rental¡ªhow long do you need it?"


    Kael crossed his arms. "Thirty hours at the very least. We will also need the priority for another ten hours of extension if we decide on it, later on."


    "Alright." The woman raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased. "That would be a total of 150 gold coins."


    Laura sighed but nodded, pulling out a pouch of gold. "Fine, but if anything goes wrong from your side, I expect a refund."


    The woman smirked. "You won''t be disappointed."


    After a while, Kael and Laura sat down across from the woman, who introduced herself as Nadia. She poured them each a cup of tea, the aroma of dried herbs filling the cozy office space. The warm, slightly bitter taste hinted at a blend of mint and chamomile, a calming mix meant to ease conversations.


    As they sipped their tea, Nadia''s eyes subtly studied them¡ªassessing, calculating. She leaned back in her chair and tilted her head slightly. "You two don''t look like the usual travelers passing through," she remarked, a curious smile playing on her lips. "Your attire, your demeanor¡­ you''re nobles, aren''t you?"


    Kael and Laura exchanged glances, but before they could respond, Nadia continued.


    "Don''t misunderstand me. I''m not particularly interested in your identities or what kind of potion you plan to make that requires a thirty-hour rental," she calmly said, stirring her own tea absentmindedly. "However, I do need to meet the alchemist first before I agree to the rental. The alchemist''s identity is important for me. I''m not renting my lab to someone with a bounty on their head."


    Laura arched an eyebrow. "And how are you so sure that neither of us is an alchemist?"


    Nadia chuckled and took a slow sip of her tea before setting the cup down. "I''ve been renting out this place for years, and I''ve met dozens of alchemists," she said matter-of-factly. "Do you know what all seasoned alchemists have in common?"


    Laura shook her head.


    "The smell, Young Lady. The smell," Nadia answered with a knowing smile. "No matter how much perfume they put on or how much soap they scrub with, the lingering scent of herbs, minerals, and burnt residue clings to them. It seeps into their skin, their clothes¡­ their very presence." She exhaled softly. "But you two?" She gestured at them with a casual wave of her hand. "You both smell too fresh. No trace of the usual alchemical residues. Sure, I can smell blood from one of you, but not those an alchemist had."


    As Nadia looked at Kael when she spoke at the last part of the sentence, Laura couldn''t help but glance at her husband from the corner of her eyes. "Did he encounter trouble earlier, in the mountains?"


    Nadia then leaned forward, her gaze sharp as she added. "Besides, I saw how you looked at the equipment in the lab. Neither of you recognized half of them. Most of your gazes were on the ventilations and the walls." She tapped her finger on the table. "In fact, I''d bet you''ve never practiced alchemy in your lives."


    Laura crossed her arms, slightly annoyed at being read so easily, but before she could say anything, Nadia suddenly turned her attention to Kael, studying his face closely.


    Then, her eyes narrowed slightly, a look of mild surprise crossing her features.


    Kael blinked. "What?"


    "Is there something on my face?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "For a while, you have been staring at me weirdly."


    Laura couldn''t help but steal another glance at Kael, her sharp eyes catching the way he was still staring at Nadia, as if he was lost in thought. A small frown crept onto her face. She didn''t like that look.


    Without hesitation, she nudged his thigh under the table.


    Kael snapped out of his daze. Realizing his folly, he quickly straightened up and cleared his throat. "Ah, my apologies," he said to Nadia. "I didn''t mean to stare. You look a little like my mother."


    Both Laura and Nadia were taken aback by his words. "Your Mother? Do I look that old?" Nadia asked, putting up a humorous smile on her face.


    Kael hurriedly answered, waving his hands. "No¡­ no. I don''t mean that. My mother passed away when I was a child and the image of my mother in my head is mostly from the portraits we had at our home." He let out a small breath. "And her anniversary is approaching, so I guess I''ve just been thinking about her a lot lately. I apologize for making you uncomfortable"


    Nadia studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, her gaze softened. "I see¡­" she murmured, as if understanding something unspoken.


    Laura, on the other hand, remained silent, watching Kael carefully. She had never heard him talk much about his mother before. Moreover, she never saw her late mother-in-law''s portraits in the mansion either. According to the stewardess, Mia shifted all of those family paintings and portraits to the storage room so that she and her brother don''t remember them and then miss them.


    A pause hung in the air.

 Chapter 84 84: Stealing the chest

    After a brief pause, Nadia offered them a gentle smile. "I don''t mind," she said, her voice carrying a quiet warmth. "In fact, I understand how you feel. I, too, miss my late daughter. And when her anniversary comes, I sometimes see her face in people who resemble her. And I too miss my grandson¡­"


    Kael and Laura both froze in shock.


    "You¡­ had a grandson?" Laura asked, eyes widening.


    Nadia chuckled softly at their expressions. "Yes." She took a sip of her tea before adding, "I''m a lot older than I look."


    Laura studied her carefully. While Nadia did appear middle-aged, there was nothing particularly extraordinary about her presence. She didn''t seem like a high-ranking noble or a powerful mage. In fact, by her aura, she was only around Tier-3. The conclusion was obvious¡ªshe had likely married young and lost her daughter early in life.


    Accepting her explanation without further suspicion, they allowed the conversation to shift.


    Nadia went on speaking about the town''s culture, its famous delicacies, and the notable attractions they could explore in their free time. Kael and Laura listened with polite interest, though Laura discreetly pulled out her communication scroll, sending a message to Penelope as she just wants to get it over with. Something about this woman didn''t just seem right for Laura. This middle-aged woman, who her husband thinks looks like his mom, gave the vibes of someone filled with secrets. Her woman intuition telling her not to be involved with her.


    Little did she expect that her woman''s intuition is indeed quite precise.


    An hour later, Penelope arrived, accompanied by the five mercenaries she had hired for protection. The group remained outside while Penelope entered alone.


    The moment she stepped inside and saw Nadia, she stopped in her tracks. Her eyes widened in sheer disbelief.


    "Grandmaster Elowyn?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    Kael and Laura exchanged surprised glances.


    Nadia¡ªor rather, Elowyn¡ªsmiled knowingly. "It''s been a long time since I heard that name. Do you people still remember me?"


    Penelope''s lips parted slightly, unable to hide her awe. "Of course, I do¡­ Which alchemist wouldn''t? Your portrait was hung right in the entrance hall of our headquarters, among the best alchemists." She took a step closer, her hands trembling slightly. "You''re the former president of the Alchemist Association. The only one who ever came close to creating the Philosopher''s Stone. The creator of the White Tincture¡ªElowyn Garfeld. You are a legend."


    Kael and Laura turned their stunned gazes toward Nadia, who simply sipped her tea, unfazed by the reverence in Penelope''s voice. Laura nodded to herself, thinking in her head. "I knew it. This woman isn''t a simple homeowner. She was a former grandmaster. She could easily tell whether one was an alchemist or not.


    Nadia smiled softly. "As I said earlier, I left that life behind forty years ago. Now, I go by the name Nadia. And I''m just a middle-aged single woman who was renting my house to alchemists for their experiments."


    Kael and Laura exchanged astonished glances.


    Laura hesitated for a moment before asking, "Then¡­ how old are you?"


    Penelope spoke up for her sake. "Grandmaster Elowyn is over ninety years old." S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael''s eyebrows shot up. Laura, too, looked taken aback, staring at the woman before her. Despite her seemingly middle-aged appearance, Nadia had lived nearly a century. And then she remembered Nadia saying she has a grandson. Now that makes perfectly sense.


    The grandmaster sighed, setting her teacup down gently. "Unfortunately, even after spending millions of gold coins from the Alchemist Association''s funds on my research¡ªmoney that could have helped hundreds of young alchemists¡ªI still couldn''t create the Philosopher''s Stone." A wistful look crossed her face. "I dreamed of a world where even a common man could live for centuries, not just those blessed with divine blood. But alas¡­ neither was my dream fulfilled, nor do I have much lifespan left to see that day."


    Penelope leaned forward, her voice filled with determination. "Grandmaster, you should return to the association. It''s not the same as before. Things have changed."


    Nadia gave a weak smile and shook her head. "I''ve already given up, child. I only wish to live in peace now. Everything I discovered, every piece of my research, I left it all with the association. If no one has succeeded in creating the Philosopher''s Stone after all these years, then perhaps it is truly impossible. Just a foolish dream."


    For a brief moment, Kael''s eyes flickered¡ªan almost imperceptible shift, as he heard a sexy whisper in his head, except the words aren''t as sexy as the voice. "Kael, something in this house smells like you."


    Meanwhile, Penelope, however, remained undeterred. "Maybe so¡­ but I''m still young, and I won''t give up." Her voice carried a quiet conviction.


    Nadia smiled at that, a trace of warmth in her gaze. "Then I wish you the best of luck." She stood up, smoothing out her robes. "You may use the lab as you wish, as long as you follow the rules. And if you ever need anything, you can always visit me upstairs."


    Penelope smiled and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Grandmaster."


    As the conversation settled, a sense of quiet understanding passed between them.


    Leaving Penelope at the alchemist lab, Kael and Laura toured around the town to see if there was any interesting place to spend. They returned by sunset, had their dinner, and went to sleep.


    Soon, midnight arrived.


    Under the cover of night, Kael moved silently through the streets, his assassin outfit blending seamlessly into the darkness. A black cat spirit perched on his shoulder, its glowing eyes watching the path ahead.


    Kael exhaled slowly, his voice a whisper. "Are you absolutely sure about this, Cleo?" His grip tightened on the hilt of his dagger. "I won''t walk into a trap again for a stupid thing. Not like last time." His mind flickered to the memory of the necromancer''s sexual harassment¡ªthe suffocating aura of death, the chilling sense of helplessness.


    Cleodora''s tail flicked as it purred in response. "I am sure, Kael. Inside that house, there is someone¡­ something that smells like you."


    Kael''s steps hesitated for a brief moment. This was the same cryptic statement the spirit had murmured to him earlier that day¡ªright when Nadia had dismissed the Philosopher''s Stone as a foolish dream.


    Kael moved like a shadow through the residence, his every step soundless. The black cat spirit on his shoulder twitched its tail, its glowing eyes fixed ahead as it guided him.


    The air inside was still, undisturbed by his presence. He barely breathed as he followed the spirit''s direction, leading him straight to the bedroom.


    There, on the bed, lay Nadia¡ªfast asleep, her breaths slow and steady.


    She hadn''t sensed him.


    Kael''s eyes flickered to the wardrobe. The cat spirit''s voice echoed in his mind. The strongest scent comes from there.


    Carefully, he approached. His hands, trained for precision, worked the door open without a creak. Inside, nestled between layers of neatly arranged garments, sat an old wooden chest. A powerful enchantment shimmered faintly over its surface.


    The black cat spirit whispered, "It''s inside. Whatever smells like you¡­ it''s in there, for sure."


    Kael hesitated, not because he was worried about that enchantment. But it is because of the fact that he is stealing from a person who isn''t a criminal or any known sinner. So, what he was doing is a crime here.


    But the curiosity of learning something that is connected to him couldn''t help but urge him to do it.


    In the end, he acted.

 Chapter 85 85: Was Nadia really related to Moonstone House?

    In one swift motion, he lifted the chest, its weight heavier than expected. His movements remained controlled, careful not to disturb anything else.


    He swore himself not to pocket anything inside no matter what. Just a little peek inside and he will return it to its exact spot.


    After taking another glance at the sleeping woman, Kael vanished into the night.


    Kael stood in the moonlit clearing, the wooden chest resting on a flat rock before him. The residential areas were far away, and only the rustling of wild plants and the occasional chirp of nocturnal creatures accompanied him.


    He exhaled slowly, stretching his fingers before placing them on the chest. A faint glow of mana spread from his hands, sensing the enchantment woven into the wood.


    It wasn''t particularly strong.


    With precise control, Kael manipulated his mana to unravel the spell, carefully dismantling its structure. The resistance was minimal, and within moments, the magic crumbled like sand slipping through fingers.


    Click.


    The chest unlocked.


    But the moment he lifted the lid¡ª


    Fwoosh!


    A stream of thick, green liquid shot out.


    Kael''s instincts kicked in. With a sharp twist of his body, he dodged effortlessly. The liquid missed him by inches, splattering onto the nearby rocks.


    Sssssssss!


    The rocks sizzled and melted instantly, dissolving into nothingness.


    Kael narrowed his eyes.


    "A super-corrosive liquid¡­ Definitely the work of an alchemist. As expected of a grandmaster." His lips curled into a smirk. An ordinary thief would''ve died the moment they opened it. But he wasn''t ordinary.


    He turned his attention back to the now-open chest, his curiosity deepening. Just what was so important that it needed a trap like this?


    When he did, he found three objects lying within.


    The first¡ªa human heart, still beating. Faint golden energy chains wrapped around it, as if sealing it.


    "A heart? Is it her own heart or someone else?" He couldn''t help but wonder for a moment before his eyes shifted to the second item lying around.


    It was a crimson stone, crystalline and glass-like, emanating an otherworldly aura.


    And the last¡ªa scarlet wool cloak.


    Cleodore, perched on his shoulder, broke the silence. "It''s the cloak. That''s what smells like you."


    He narrowed his eyes. Carefully, he inspected the fabric from above the chest, ensuring no more hidden traps lay in wait. Sensing no danger, he reached forward and picked it up.


    The material felt old yet well-preserved, nothing too extravagant¡ªlikely worth a few hundred gold coins at most.


    But it wasn''t the quality that stunned him. It was the crest embroidered on the cloak. "This¡­" Kael''s breath hitched.


    A five-clawed black and gold dragon.


    It was the ancient crest of House Moonstone, used for centuries before it was altered to a five-clawed gold dragon.


    His grip on the cloak tightened. No wonder the spirit sensed familiarity. It was the scent of his bloodline.


    "An ancestor''s cloak¡­?"


    Kael''s mind raced. He glanced at the chest again, his gaze drifting between the heart, the crimson stone, and the cloak.


    His eyes darkened. "Just who exactly is Nadia¡­? Why did she have this cloak? Was she really connected to the Moonstone House?" His mind was filled with questions, and only Nadia could give him answers to them. But, how should he get them? That''s the next challenge.


    After a while;


    Kael carefully placed the chest back inside the wardrobe, ensuring everything looked as close to its original state as possible. Nadia remained undisturbed, still deep in sleep. With a silent breath, he slipped out of the residence unnoticed.


    From start to the end, Nadia didn''t even notice a little thing.


    The next morning, as sunlight filtered through her window, Nadia stirred awake. Going about her usual routine, she freshened up before heading to her wardrobe.


    As she opened it, her sharp eyes immediately caught something unusual.


    The wooden chest was slightly off¡ªjust a few inches deeper into the compartment than before.


    Alchemists are researchers. The deeper their mastery goes, the more hermetic obsession one could see in them. In Nadia''s case, it was all about absolute neatness and control. That''s why one could rarely find specks of dust inside her house and the fact that her alchemist lab is perfectly neat and the equipment is kept in order, in their places.


    And so, as the wooden chest''s placement was off by just three inches, a sense of unease crept into her mind. Instinctively, she reached for it, her fingers brushing against the surface. That''s when she noticed it.


    "The defensive spell¡­ it''s gone." She gasped, her pupils dilating in realization.


    Her heart pounded. She hurriedly opened the chest, scanning its contents. The beating heart¡ªstill there. The crimson stone¡ªuntouched. The scarlet cloak¡ªexactly as she left it.


    "Nothing was taken away. Yet, something had definitely happened."


    Her eyes narrowed as she muttered under her breath, "Who could have looked into my things¡­?"


    Her thoughts immediately turned to Penelope.


    After all, the young alchemist was the only other person on the premises. At this hour, she was likely already in the lab, preparing for the day''s work.


    Still¡­ would she have broken the spell just to take a look? Moreover, Penelope didn''t seem that strong. There''s no way a Tier-4 can break the spell and evade the corrosive liquid.


    Nadia wasn''t convinced.


    Her fingers tightened around the edge of the chest. "I need to buy a specialized storage ring even if I have to spend tens of thousands of gold coins, in order to keep these safe."


    A couple of hours later, as Penelope remained absorbed in her experimentation, Kael and Laura arrived at the alchemist''s residence.


    Using the excuse of wanting to learn more about the alchemy market, he suggested leaving Laura in the lab while he went upstairs to speak with Nadia alone.


    Laura, however, volunteered to go with him.


    Kael, who already expected it, smiled and said smoothly, "Your beauty distracts me from pure learning. If you come along, I won''t be able to focus properly. Besides, that grandma is weak anyway."


    Laura blushed at the unexpected compliment. Caught off guard, she hesitated before finally nodding.


    Kael inwardly smirked at his small victory.


    With that, he ascended the stairs, soon arriving at Nadia''s living quarters while Nadia went on meeting Penelope instead.


    She greeted him warmly and, after hearing his request, gladly agreed to share her knowledge. As she prepared tea, he decided it was time to test his suspicion.


    "It occurred to me that we haven''t even properly introduced ourselves yesterday." Setting his cup down, Kael looked her in the eyes and spoke with deliberate clarity. "My name is Kael Moonstone. The current head of the Moonstone House. And my wife was Laura Flamehart, the fifth princess."


    Silence.


    Nadia''s hand froze mid-air as she reached for her tea. Her eyes widened slightly, though she quickly composed herself.


    Still, Kael didn''t miss the flicker of recognition.


    A moment later, she spoke¡ªher voice carrying an odd undertone. "What generation?"


    Kael didn''t hesitate. "I am the 37th generation head."


    For the first time, he saw something close to disbelief in her expression. Kael leaned back slightly, watching her carefully.


    Nadia''s hands trembled, ever so slightly.


    It was subtle¡ªjust the faintest quiver in her fingers as they rested on the table. Most would have overlooked it, dismissed it as a fleeting moment of weakness, the way hands sometimes shake when fatigued.


    But Kael noticed. He had spent years sharpening his senses, learning to read the smallest of gestures.


    "Your mother''s name?" she asked, her voice softer, hesitant even.


    Kael tilted his head slightly at her reaction. Still, he answered without hesitation. "Hestia Moonstone."


    The effect was immediate.


    For a fraction of a second, Nadia''s entire body went rigid.


    "What''s wrong?" Kael asked, his voice steady, probing. "Do you know my mother?"


    Nadia blinked rapidly, as if snapping herself out of a trance. Then, with practiced ease, she shook her head and let out a forced soft chuckle. "No¡­ I don''t," she said, a weight beneath the words. "I just¡­ remembered someone. A close friend from the Moonstone House, long ago."


    Kael didn''t buy it. Not for a second.


    If it was just a friend, why had her hands trembled the moment he mentioned the 37th generation? Why had her face frozen, as though she had seen something she wasn''t prepared to face? The reaction was too raw, too personal.


    A thought suddenly stirred in his mind.


    The estate stewardess once mentioned his grandmother had a twin sister¡ªa woman who had left the Moonstone House years ago and never returned. A woman whose name was no longer spoken within the family, as if she had been erased from its history. Could it be¡­?


    His pulse quickened slightly at the possibility.


    Kael had spent most of his life as an orphan, his only true family being his sister. But if Nadia truly was that lost relative, then why was she hiding it?


    For a moment, he wanted to press further, to demand the truth from her. But then he hesitated.


    If he pushed too hard, she might grow suspicious. And if she started questioning him in return¡­ she might suspect that he is the one who might have broken into her home the previous night. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael exhaled slowly, forcing himself to let go of the thought. Perhaps, in time, he would uncover the truth. But today wasn''t that day.


    He leaned back in his chair, schooling his features into a relaxed expression.


    "I see," he said casually, offering a small, charming smile, as if the momentary tension had never existed. "Well, anyway, let''s talk about the alchemy market, Miss Nadia."


    For a moment, Nadia''s eyes lingered on him before the elderly alchemist smiled and reached for the teapot beside her, gracefully pouring him a cup of tea. "Very well, let''s talk about the business, Moonstone," she said, her tone returning to its usual composed warmth.

 Chapter 86 86: A wifes worry

    Time dragged on at an agonizing pace.


    Laura paced back and forth in the small office adjacent to the alchemy lab, her fingers curling and uncurling at her sides as her thoughts churned restlessly.


    Kael had been gone for too long.


    She had let him go upstairs alone, reasoning with herself that there was nothing to worry about. After all, it was just a conversation with an old woman¡ªan alchemist who had long retired from the world. What could possibly happen? And yet, experience had taught her that when it came to her husband, things were never that simple.


    She knew him too well.


    Kael had a habit¡ªno, a knack¡ªfor stumbling into trouble, even when he wasn''t looking for it. It was almost like chaos followed him wherever he went, drawn to him like a moth to a flame.


    What if something happened? S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What if he uncovered something dangerous?


    What if the woman isn''t actually an alchemist but an enemy, perhaps, deployed by the Clowns of Ark Organization in order to abduct him?


    What if¡ª


    "Laura, are you planning to wear down the floorboards?"


    The voice jolted Laura out of her anxious spiral. She turned abruptly to see Penelope standing in the doorway, arms crossed as she leaned against the frame, watching her with an arched brow. The alchemist had clearly just stepped out of the lab for a break, the faint scent of herbs and heated minerals clinging to her clothes.


    Laura exhaled sharply, trying to compose herself. "Kael still isn''t back."


    Penelope blinked, then shrugged as she stepped into the room. "So? It''s only been an hour. You make it sound like he''s disappeared off the face of the earth."


    Laura frowned, crossing her arms. "You don''t understand. He has this¡­ talent for getting into situations."


    The amused look on Penelope''s face didn''t fade. "You mean trouble?"


    "Exactly," Laura muttered, rubbing her temple. "Even when he doesn''t try, it just happens. Every time he left the capital city, he ended up in trouble. And it''s not that I don''t trust him to take care of himself, well, Nyx is there, but¡­"


    "But you''re worried anyway," Penelope finished, tilting her head slightly. "Even though the person he''s meeting is a harmless old woman, who by the way, is one of the most magnanimous and compassionate beings I ever met or heard of."


    Laura chewed the inside of her cheek. "It was ridiculous when put like that." She thought in her head. Trouble didn''t always come in the form of physical danger.


    "That''s not the point," Laura admitted, sighing. "I just¡­ it''s just¡­" She struggled to put it into words and Penelope had to interrupt her with a smirk. "So, why are you still standing here, then?"


    Laura hesitated. "Because¡­ he asked me to stay behind."


    Penelope scoffed. "And since when do you listen to him like an obedient wife? A man is dictating to you what you do? Seriously?"


    Laura glared. "Hey, I told you not to look down on my husband."


    "Then what? You''re worried about displeasing him?" Penelope gave her a look of disbelief. "Laura, are we talking about the same Kael here? The one who follows you like a puppy everywhere? The man who worships the ground you walk on?"


    Laura flushed at the exaggeration, though she couldn''t exactly refute it.


    "It''s not that simple," she muttered.


    Penelope rolled her eyes. "It is. You''re worrying yourself sick down here instead of going to check on him. So, how about this¡ªI''ll go with you."


    Laura blinked, surprised by the offer.


    "You don''t have to¡ª"


    Penelope waved a hand dismissively. "Please, I could use the excuse to stretch my legs. And besides, I''ve a few things to ask Grandmaster, too."


    For the first time in the past hour, Laura let out a small, relieved breath.


    "Alright," she said, offering a grateful smile. "Let''s go find him."


    Laura and Penelope ascended the stairs leading to the upper residence, their footsteps soft against the wooden floor.


    As they reached the doorway, they found the scene entirely different from the troubling scenarios Laura had imagined.


    Kael sat comfortably across from Nadia at a modest wooden table, his posture relaxed yet focused. In front of him, a small leather-bound notebook was open, and he was jotting things down in neat, precise handwriting. Nadia, for her part, seemed deeply engaged in their conversation, her expression thoughtful as she gestured subtly with her hands while speaking.


    "Take phoenix flower petals, for instance. They are moderately priced when fresh, but once processed into syrup, their value quadruples in most markets," Nadia was explaining, her voice calm but instructive. "Or the Xyrelm sap. It can be used to make pancake syrups, but instead, you should be creating Xyrelm candies. It has higher profit margins and longer shelf life. Unlike pancake syrups, candies are enjoyed by kids from all types of economic statuses. You just have to create a premium version for the rich, and an economic version for the commoners. And lucky for you, right now, you were near the Helsinki Mountains, which have an abundance of Xyrelm trees. Coming to next thing that is available around¡­"


    Laura, who had arrived with a worry, instead found Kael fully immersed in a serious business discussion, one she could see genuinely intrigued him.


    However, the conversation paused as the presence of the two women disrupted the quiet flow of business talk. Kael''s pen stilled over the pages of his notebook, his gaze shifting to his wife. Nadia, ever the gracious host, also turned toward them with a questioning look.


    Penelope gave an easy smile, lifting a hand in a small, almost dismissive wave. "Sorry for interrupting your little trade lesson, but I actually need some advice for my experiment."


    Kael leaned back in his chair, setting his notebook aside. He studied Penelope for a moment before giving a slight nod, his expression unreadable. Beside him, Laura hesitated for a second before stepping forward and sitting at the table as well.


    Nadia took the moment to rise from her seat. "Well, if we''re all going to be discussing alchemy now, I suppose I should bring out more tea."


    As she walked toward the small wooden counter, Laura turned her gaze toward Kael, her fingers lightly brushing against the edge of the table. "Sorry," she murmured, the word barely audible, yet meant just for him.


    Kael shrugged, leaning his cheek against his knuckles. "I don''t mind," he replied.


    To anyone else, it was a casual statement of understanding. But Laura knew him better. There was a stiffness there¡ªa subtle, unspoken displeasure that lingered beneath the surface.


    He''s annoyed.


    Laura''s eyes flickered over to Nadia, who was now carefully pouring steaming tea into delicate ceramic cups. The elderly woman moved with practiced grace, a quiet warmth in her gestures.


    For the remainder of the day, Kael kept to himself, retreating to the guest room provided by Nadia.


    The room was modest but comfortable¡ªwooden furnishings with a warm scent of aged parchment and dried herbs lingering in the air. A single window overlooked the quiet streets of the town, where the afternoon sun cast golden hues over the rooftops.


    He lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts drifting between the strange encounter with Nadia and the revelation of the Moonstone crest on the cloak. He had more questions now than ever before, yet no clear answers. Was Nadia truly related to his family? Or was he thinking too much into it?


    There was no way to know for sure, and pressing further might only push her away.


    A knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts.


    "Dear?" Laura''s voice filtered through the wood, gentle yet concerned.


    He sighed, sitting up. "Come in."


    Laura entered, her golden hair catching the dim light as she closed the door behind her. She studied him for a moment, taking in his pensive expression. "You''ve been quiet all day."


    Kael shook his head, leaning back on his hands. "Not really. We basically have nothing else to do to become busy with."


    Laura crossed her arms, unconvinced. "That''s not it. Something''s bothering you."


    He considered brushing it off but knew she wouldn''t let it go. Instead, he exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "It''s just¡­ Nadia."


    Laura raised an eyebrow, moving to sit at the edge of the bed. "What about her?"


    Kael hesitated. He wanted to confide in her¡ªtell her about his suspicion of Nadia''s possible relation to Moonstone House, but how would he explain it to her if she starts questioning too? He definitely cannot say about the chest or the cloak.


    After quick thinking, he spoke vaguely. "She reacted quite strangely when I told her my full name. When she heard I was from the Moonstone House, her hands trembled. And when I mentioned my mother, she looked like she was about to become emotional. She said she knew someone from Moonstone House but didn''t say who. I just couldn''t help but wonder¡­ you know¡­"


    Laura frowned, tapping her fingers against her knee in thought. "So, what are you going to do?"


    Kael sighed. "Nothing. Not yet. If there is something and she wants to tell me, she will. Moreover, I need to find another opportunity to talk with her."


    Laura studied him for a moment before finally nodding. "Alright. But if something feels off, promise me you won''t handle it alone."


    He smirked. "Afraid I''ll get into trouble?"


    Laura gave him a pointed look. "You always get into trouble."


    Kael chuckled, shaking his head. "Fine. I promise."


    Satisfied, Laura leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. For a brief moment, the weight of the day faded, replaced by a quiet warmth between them.

 Chapter 87: Resentment and Restlessness

    Meanwhile, somewhere in the town;


    The dimly lit pub of the inn was alive with the rowdy chatter of mercenaries and travelers alike, the air thick with the scent of ale and roasted meat. In a corner near the stone hearth, five mercenaries gathered around a wooden table, their mugs clinking against the rough surface as they drank.


    Ember, a sharp-eyed woman with braided blonde hair, leaned forward, swirling the dark liquid in her cup. Her voice was low but carried an edge of dissatisfaction. "I just don¡¯t get it. Why did Penelope and the other two leave the inn so suddenly? They¡¯re staying in some woman¡¯s house now." She took a sip and continued, "And she still hasn¡¯t paid us the rest of our commission. She won¡¯t run away, right?"


    Brianna, their leader, set her drink down with a soft thunk and leaned back against the chair, crossing her arms. "Penelope isn¡¯t the type to disappear without paying," she said, her voice level. "She¡¯s a certified alchemist and a well-regarded member of the association. If she¡¯s taking her time here, it just means we¡¯ll be owed even more when she¡¯s finally done."


    Across the table, Wren, a wiry woman with a perpetual smirk, raised an eyebrow. "Then why do you look pissed off, Captain?" she asked, tipping her mug towards her. "If anything, this is good for us."


    Brianna¡¯s expression darkened, and she set her drink aside. "It¡¯s not about the money," she muttered, her jaw tightening.


    Silence fell over the table for a moment before Gisela sighed, already knowing where this was going. "You¡¯re still thinking about the princess, aren¡¯t you?"


    Brianna¡¯s fingers curled into a fist at the memory.


    Laura Flamehart.


    An imperial princess who spoke to her with such dismissiveness, such condescension. It wasn¡¯t what she had said that got under Brianna¡¯s skin¡ªit was how she had said it. As if she were insignificant. As if she were nothing more than a common thug to be brushed aside.


    Wren chuckled, shaking her head. "Come on, Captain. You¡¯re not seriously thinking of picking a fight with her, are you?"


    Gisela leaned in, lowering her voice. "She¡¯s an imperial princess, Brianna. That¡¯s not someone we can afford to cross. She didn¡¯t attack you or humiliate you¡ªshe just told you to stay out of her business. Sure, her tone was sharp, but that¡¯s hardly worth throwing away our lives."


    Brianna¡¯s chest rose and fell sharply, her fingers curling around the handle of the now-empty jug. She turned her sharp gaze to Gisela, her voice laced with frustration.


    "Not a big deal?" she scoffed. "Do you have any idea how much I¡¯ve trained to get to this level? How many monsters I¡¯ve fought to keep my damn clients alive? How many assassins have I personally taken down with these hands?" She lifted one calloused hand, fingers twitching as if itching for a fight. "I¡¯ve been through hell and back, and yet that woman¡ªthat arrogant noble¡ªdared to look down on me like I was some street thug?"


    She exhaled sharply through her nose, her blood boiling at the memory.


    "She wasn¡¯t even a client," Brianna continued, her voice lower now, but no less furious. "Even if she spoke in the heat of the moment, she didn¡¯t bother to apologize later. No sign of regret. Nothing. Just another pampered princess who thinks she can talk to people like we¡¯re beneath her." She clenched her jaw, the scar on her cheek stretching as she ground her teeth.


    "That bitch¡­"


    The words left her mouth like venom.


    A tense silence followed Brianna¡¯s outburst, but it didn¡¯t last long.


    Hilda, the quietest of the group until now, leaned back in her chair, tapping her nails against the wooden surface. A knowing smirk played on her lips.


    "I absolutely support you in whatever you are planning, Captain," she commented, her tone laced with amusement. "She acts like she¡¯s some high-and-mighty royal, but her own mother doesn¡¯t even seem to care about her. If she cared so much about her children, why would she marry her daughter off to a nobody? The Moonstone House doesn¡¯t even hold a noble title anymore, and they are so poor that they are depending on the prince consort pension from the palace. Meanwhile, the second princess remains untouched, free to do as she pleases."


    Gisela frowned. "You¡¯re saying the Queen wants to pass the throne to the second princess instead?"


    "Think about it," Hilda said, swirling the ale in her cup. "The youngest princess may have been seen like she is the heiress, but I say it is all nothing but a misdirection from Her Majesty, in order to keep the attention away from the real heiress of Flamehart House. The second princess is a powerful warrior, doesn¡¯t crave power or the throne, and is solely dedicated to eliminating monsters. And, most importantly, she¡¯s the only one who wasn¡¯t married off to that Moonstone brat. It is obvious who will sit on the throne."


    Brianna remained silent, absorbing Hilda¡¯s words.


    In the end, she leaned forward, her elbows resting on the ale-stained table, and cast a sharp glance at each of her subordinates. Her lips curled into a smirk, a predator scenting an opportunity. "If that is the case, I guess we can up her punishment a little bit than I originally thought," she muttered, her voice carrying the weight of a simmering grudge.


    Gisela shifted uncomfortably, her fingers tracing the rim of her untouched drink. "Brianna, I don¡¯t like where this is going," she said, glancing around to ensure no wandering ears overheard their conversation. "Regardless of how the Queen treats her, Laura is still her daughter. We can¡¯t afford to make an enemy of the royal family. Touching her would be suicide."


    Brianna chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. "Oh, don¡¯t worry. We won¡¯t touch the princess."


    Gisela¡¯s frown deepened. "We don¡¯t?"


    Brianna leaned in even closer, her grin widening. "We¡¯ll punish the real problem¡ªthe one who made her scold me. That reckless little brat. The Tier-1 nobody who thinks he can get away with anything just because he has a royal wife."


    She shot another glance around the tavern, ensuring that no one was paying too much attention. Satisfied, she motioned for the others to lean in.


    "Here¡¯s the plan¡­"


    Her voice dropped to a whisper, but the predatory gleam in her eyes told them all they needed to know.


    Gisela swallowed hard.


    She had a bad feeling about this.


    S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 88: Come on, let’s have s*x then

    The town had settled into the quiet hum of the night, the occasional hoot of an owl breaking the stillness.


    Kael lay on his back, one arm resting over his forehead, his breathing even as he hovered on the edge of sleep. Laura, however, was anything but restful. She shifted under the covers, rolling onto her side, then onto her back again. Every so often, she would sigh quietly, glancing toward her husband, waiting for a response that never came.


    Minutes passed like this before she finally gave in.


    "Dear," she murmured, nudging his shoulder lightly.


    He stirred but didn¡¯t fully wake, mumbling something incoherent.


    "Kael," she tried again, firmer this time.


    His eyes blinked open lazily, and he turned his head to face her. His silver eyes, usually sharp and calculating, were hazy with sleep. "What is it?" he muttered, voice low and rough.


    Laura hesitated, then exhaled. "Are you still displeased with me?"


    Kael barely lifted an eyebrow, looking more exasperated than anything. "Displeased?" He yawned, stretching slightly before settling back into the bed. "I already told you. I was still thinking about how to deal with Miss Nadia." sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But, you have missed your chance to ask her because of me," Laura replied, her tone was quite apologetic.


    Kael shrugged. "It¡¯s alright. I can just bring it up tomorrow."


    "That¡¯s not an answer," Laura pointed out, turning on her side to face him fully.


    Kael sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Laura, it¡¯s not a big deal. I told you, I don¡¯t mind."


    She wasn¡¯t convinced.


    "If you really didn¡¯t mind, then why did you avoid talking about the market for the rest of the day? You said you lost the opportunity to talk and will look for another opportunity, but you didn¡¯t bring it up with her." Her voice was quiet, but the sharpness in her words was unmistakable. Moreover, you barely spoke to anyone since noon, not even to me."


    Kael didn¡¯t respond right away. He simply stared at the ceiling, as if contemplating how much of the truth he wanted to share.


    Finally, he exhaled slowly. "I just¡­ didn¡¯t feel like it. I had too much in my head at the moment."


    Laura frowned. That wasn¡¯t like him. He wasn¡¯t the type to lose interest in something unless something else was on his mind.


    Laura reached out, gently placing a hand on his arm. "Kael," she said softly, "what¡¯s really on your mind?"


    For a moment, he didn¡¯t answer.


    Then, finally, he turned his head to look at her, something unreadable flickering in his gaze.


    "Nothing," he said. But the way he said it¡­ she knew it was a lie.


    And that only made her more concerned. "C¡¯mon, why are you keeping things from me? Are you so annoyed by me that you now refuse to even speak your mind? What? You don¡¯t trust me or something? Or you suspect my intelligence that I can¡¯t help you with any advice or something?"


    As she kept on rambling about this and that, Kael let out a long sigh, running a hand over his face before turning on his side to face Laura properly. "Fine," he said at last. "I was annoyed. Just a little."


    Laura¡¯s expression shifted, a flicker of guilt and a bit surprise crossing her face, but she remained silent, waiting for him to continue.


    "I love the fact that you care about me more than anyone," he admitted. "I know I¡¯m always your first priority, and I do appreciate that. But sometimes¡­" He exhaled, his gaze flickering away. "Sometimes, you can be a little overbearing."


    Laura¡¯s lips parted slightly in surprise, but Kael pressed on.


    "A man needs his privacy now and then, Laura," he said. "There are things I want to do on my own. When you invade my space, even if it¡¯s out of worry, it makes me feel like you don¡¯t trust me. Like you think I¡¯ll mess up or get into trouble if you¡¯re not there to watch over me. Like you think I don¡¯t have the capacity to even look after myself." His voice dropped slightly, laced with frustration. "It makes me feel pathetic. And sometimes, in sex¡­"


    Laura¡¯s brows furrowed as he suddenly paused, his expression shifting as if he had said too much. He looked away, biting his lip, and she could tell he was holding something back.


    Laura blinked. "What about sex?"


    Kael shook his head quickly. "Nothing. Forget it."


    That only made her more curious. She propped herself up on one elbow, narrowing her eyes. "No, tell me. You started to say something. Be honest with me, Kael. Do you not like having sex with me or something?"


    His eyes widened slightly at the ridiculousness of the question, and he immediately shook his head. "No, of course not. That¡¯s not it at all. I love having sex with you."


    "Then what?" she pressed, determined now. "Are you saying we¡¯re having too much sex? You¡¯re tired of me?"


    Kael let out an exasperated breath. "Laura, no. That¡¯s not what I mean."


    "Then what do you mean?"


    He hesitated again, clearly embarrassed, but finally, he forced himself to just say it.


    "It¡¯s just¡­" He shifted uncomfortably, avoiding her gaze. "Sometimes, I want you to do things for me too. The way I do them for you. You know¡­ before the main thing." His voice was quieter now, more awkward. "Amanda did it for me a couple of times, and I liked that, well¡­ I¡¯m too embarrassed to ask you. Or Melissa, for that matter."


    Laura stared at him for a moment, processing his words. Then she blinked.


    "...That¡¯s it?"


    Kael looked mildly offended. "What do you mean, that¡¯s it?"


    She shrugged. "It¡¯s not a big deal. Why didn¡¯t you just say something earlier?"


    His ears burned slightly. "Because it¡¯s embarrassing."


    Laura rolled her eyes before leaning closer, her tone teasing but affectionate. "Dear, we¡¯re married and the Lord knows how many times we slept since our wedding night. There¡¯s nothing embarrassing about telling me what you want in sex." A small smirk played on her lips as she pushed him onto his back, straddling him effortlessly. "So? What exactly do you want me to do?"


    Kael swallowed, his breath hitching slightly as he looked up at her.


    She grinned. "Come on, tell me. And let¡¯s have sex then."

 Chapter 89: A blood relative (1/2)

    Kael blinked, caught off guard by Laura¡¯s sudden boldness. His wife was always straightforward, but this was unexpected¡ªeven for her.


    She straddled him with a determined look, her dark eyes locked onto his. Kael, despite himself, couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her confidence.


    "You do realize we¡¯re guests in someone¡¯s house, right?" he reminded her, resting his hands lightly on her hips. "This is highly inappropriate."


    Laura¡¯s expression faltered for a moment before realization dawned on her. She glanced around the dimly lit guest room, then exhaled, reluctantly conceding. "¡­Right. That would be extremely rude." She said, climbing off of him with a graceful ease. "We¡¯ll do it at the inn tomorrow, then."


    Kael sighed. "Or, hear me out¡ªwe could wait until we return home?"


    Laura immediately shook her head. "No."


    He raised an eyebrow. "No?"


    "When there¡¯s a problem, the solution cannot be postponed," she declared with the kind of conviction one would expect from a seasoned general. "The more one avoids confronting an issue, the more complicated it becomes. You said you were embarrassed to talk about this, right? Then we deal with it now before it turns into something bigger. You know that it is not big things that bring problems to one¡¯s lives. Well, they do in a way, but they were all solvable things with simpler solutions. However, the little things we ignore in our daily lives will be the ones that become too complicated when they add up and become big to the point that we can¡¯t see out. And when we do, we often make a wrong choice."


    Kael stared at her, momentarily speechless. Her logic, while applied to something entirely different from its usual context, was sound.


    "You amaze me sometimes," he admitted, watching as she casually settled back beside him.


    Laura grinned. "I know."


    Kael exhaled, running a hand through his hair. Perhaps it was time to start confronting his own problems instead of avoiding them.


    The heavy silence of midnight was broken only by the soft rustling of fabric as Kael donned his assassin attire. The black ensemble clung to him like a second skin, his movements as silent as the shadows he became one with. With practiced ease, he slipped out of the guest room, leaving behind the warm embrace of sleep¡ªand Laura.


    This time, he wasn¡¯t sneaking to steal something.


    He strode through the dimly lit corridors, his footfalls deliberately audible against the polished wooden floor. This wasn¡¯t a mission of secrecy; it was a message. He was here to demand answers. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Reaching Nadia¡¯s door, he pushed it open without hesitation. The old alchemist lay curled under a thick quilt, her long red hair spilling over the pillow in gentle waves.


    Kael didn¡¯t hesitate. In a single swift motion, he pressed the cold edge of his dagger against her throat.


    Nadia¡¯s eyes snapped open. And Kael frowned instead.


    She didn¡¯t gasp. Didn¡¯t jerk away. Didn¡¯t even tense.


    Her eyes, still heavy with sleep, adjusted to the darkness, slowly locking onto his. A stranger might have expected her pulse to race, her breath to quicken, her body to tremble beneath the weight of mortal peril. But none of that happened. Her breathing remained steady, her heartbeat unchanged¡ªunshaken.


    She looked completely calm as if she is not afraid of death.


    For a moment, the dagger at her throat felt almost useless. She wasn¡¯t fighting, wasn¡¯t resisting, but she also wasn¡¯t breaking.


    Finally, after a long silence, Nadia exhaled, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "If you mean to kill me, boy¡­ then do it quickly."


    Kael narrowed his eyes. "Boy?"


    A thin, humorless smile tugged at her lips. "What else should I call you?" Her voice was calm, too calm for a woman with a blade pressed against her throat. "You think you are the first assassin to hold a knife to me in my sleep?"


    Kael didn¡¯t react. He simply pressed the blade a little deeper¡ªnot enough to cut, but enough to remind her of its presence. "Except that this assassin knows how to kill you."


    Nadia¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. "You already know that I can¡¯t be killed by this method. You know where my heart was," she said, her voice barely a breath. "Why were you bothering putting a dagger at my throat instead?"


    Kael¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. "So you did notice."


    Nadia closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again. "I wouldn¡¯t, had you positioned exactly in the same location you picked up the chest from¡­ Next time you do something like this, be careful. Not everyone is as apathetic as I am."


    A thick silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken truths.


    Kael studied her, his mind calculating, observing, assessing. Her fear was there¡ªhe could see it¡ªbut her body didn¡¯t betray her. That meant one of two things: either she had trained herself to suppress instinctual responses¡­ or something was very, very wrong with her.


    His grip on the dagger tightened slightly.


    "Tell me," he whispered. "What is your relation to the Moonstone House?"


    Nadia barely had a moment to process the question before Kael continued, his tone sharpening like the edge of his blade.


    "As you suspect, I saw what¡¯s inside that chest of yours¡ªinside, there was a cloak bearing the old Moonstone crest." His golden eyes glinted in the dim candlelight, predatory and unyielding. "That symbol hasn¡¯t been used for centuries. How it came into your possession? And now, a Moonstone just happens to be living under your roof?" He leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. "What are the odds?"


    Nadia¡¯s lips parted slightly, but no words came. The weight of his accusation pressed down on her like a vice.


    Kael smirked coldly at her hesitation. "You know, I expected you to deny it," he murmured. "But that look on your face? That silence?" His grip on the hilt of his dagger tightened. "It¡¯s as good as a confession."


    Nadia¡¯s hands clenched the sheets beneath her, but still, her pulse remained eerily steady. After a brief pause, a slow breath escaped Nadia¡¯s lips as she steadied herself. "If you¡¯re here to kill me," she said, her voice barely above a murmur, "then do it. I¡¯m at the end of my life anyway. You won¡¯t get any answers from me."


    Kael¡¯s gaze darkened, a slow smirk curling at the edges of his lips. "Since you aren¡¯t afraid of your life, then, there must be someone who you find it precious," he said smoothly, withdrawing the blade just enough to let her speak freely. "I will take your life, Nadia. After that, I will kill the rookie alchemist and the princess." His smirk deepened, his voice turning razor-sharp. "But the entire blame will fall upon that Moonstone."


    For the first time, real tension flickered across Nadia¡¯s face. She stiffened, her fingers clenching the blanket on her lap. "You wouldn¡¯t."


    Kael¡¯s golden eyes gleamed with something unreadable. "Try me." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a whisper. "You¡¯re well aware of how the world works. If all of you die here and he goes missing along with the treasures, the first suspect won¡¯t be some mysterious assassin." His smirk widened. "People will believe Kael Moonstone killed the Princess and both of you. The Queen won¡¯t side with him because she would be feeling grief at the loss of her daughter."

 Chapter 90: A blood relative (2/2)

    "You¡­"


    Nadia¡¯s breath hitched, but her heartbeat remained eerily steady. Kael found it fascinating how composed she was¡ªhow even in the face of threat and danger, she didn¡¯t flinch. But that slight reaction at the end¡­ it was enough.


    "More importantly," Kael continued, watching her closely, "I know it won¡¯t come down to that." His fingers twirled the dagger lazily before sheathing it at his side. "Because you care about that young man¡­ don¡¯t you?" His gaze bore into hers. "Both of us know the truth, even if you refuse to admit it. So, I will have you answer some of my questions, Nadia. And I repeat my first question: Are you related to Moonstone House? If I had to phrase it more directly, are you a descendant of Moonstone House?"


    A long silence stretched between them.


    Finally, Nadia let out a heavy sigh. Her shoulders slumped, the weight of years pressing down on her. She closed her eyes briefly before opening them again, her gaze locking onto his with an intensity he hadn¡¯t expected. "Yes, I¡¯m a descendant of Moonstone House. My name is Elowyn Moonstone. Garfeld was my husband¡¯s surname. I took his surname while pursuing an alchemist career. And Kael Moonstone is my grandson, my Hestia¡¯s child."


    Kael¡¯s breath stilled. He had suspected many things¡ªthat she might be his grandaunt or she might have some distant connection to his bloodline¡ªbut this? He hadn¡¯t been prepared for this.


    "Grandson?" He narrowed his eyes, his mind racing to piece it together.


    Nadia¡¯s expression softened, but there was no warmth in it¡ªonly regret. "I left my ten-year-old daughter in my sister¡¯s care, who is the head of the house, and abandoned the capital due to circumstances beyond my control." Her voice wavered for the first time. "I never returned."


    Kael¡¯s jaw clenched. But he controlled his emotions and asked. "And what does Moonstone bloodline have anything to do with the resurrection of the Monarch of Darkness?" His tone carried an edge.


    "Eh? Monarch of Darkness?" Nadia seemed surprised at that question. Kael also knew that she probably has no idea about it, but he just took a shot and while it didn¡¯t strike the target, at the very least, it gave off an impression that he is there to enquire about the Monarch of Darkness¡ªthe founder of ¡¯Clowns of Ark¡¯.


    Nadia shook her head and spoke. "No. I have no idea what you are talking about. As far as I know, Monarch of Darkness has no relation to our Moonstone House. And everyone knows that his body was destroyed in the Battle of Five Kings and his soul was imprisoned away, deep in the bottom of the ocean. It¡¯s impossible to resurrect him."


    A bitter silence settled between them. Kael studied her carefully, weighing her words, her expression, the truth in her eyes. He had spent a fair share of years reading people, knowing when they lied and when they spoke from the heart. And right now¡ªshe wasn¡¯t lying.


    He exhaled slowly, retracting the dagger from her throat. "I believe you." He jumped away from her and landed on the floor.


    Her brows lifted slightly, as if she hadn¡¯t expected him to say that.


    Kael straightened, the dangerous glint in his eyes softening, but only slightly. "I never had the intention of harming Kael Moonstone. If anything¡­" He allowed himself the ghost of a smirk. "I¡¯ve been protecting him from the shadows."


    Nadia remained silent, studying him in return.


    "I won¡¯t involve myself in your family matters," he said, turning away and stepping toward the window. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He paused. "But, Grandmaster," he added, his voice taking on a darker tone, "if I find out that you just made up some nonsense to escape my blade¡­" He glanced back, his gaze deadly. "Then I¡¯ll remind you¡ªthere has never been a target I, K, failed to assassinate. It doesn¡¯t matter if you hide in "


    Nadia¡¯s lips parted slightly, but it wasn¡¯t fear that flickered in her eyes. It was recognition. "K?" she murmured, her voice tinged with something close to disbelief.


    As the shadow of Kael¡¯s presence faded from the room, Nadia remained motionless, staring at the spot where he had last stood. "The Enemy of the Throne¡­ Noble Assassin K¡­" she murmured under her breath. Her frown deepened as she turned toward the dim candlelight, its flickering glow casting wavering shadows along the walls. "On one hand, he¡¯s acting against Queen and on the other hand, he is secretly protecting her son-in-law?" She shook her head in disbelief. "That was the last thing I expected¡­"


    Her eyes instinctively flickered toward the old wardrobe standing silently in the corner of the room. She couldn¡¯t help but climb down the bed and move toward it, before reaching out to the wooden chest. "I hope the items are still here." Holding her breath, she flipped the latches open and lifted the lid.


    Inside, three objects lay nestled against a velvet lining.


    She exhaled in relief. "Untouched." She then gazed at the opened window and murmured. "Now, what should I do with Kael?"


    *


    The next morning, Laura stirred slightly, her body still caught in the haze of sleep. A warm presence beside her made her blink groggily, her vision adjusting to the sight of Kael lying next to her, propped up on one elbow. His gaze was fixed on her, a soft smile playing at his lips.


    "Good morning," he murmured, his voice smooth yet teasing. "You really have the most beautiful eyes when you wake up."


    Laura felt a flush rise to her cheeks, the warmth of his words seeping into her drowsy consciousness. Before she could fully process it, Kael leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. It was brief, but enough to send her heart racing.


    "What¡¯s gotten into you?" she asked, still a bit groggy, but her lips curved into a smile. "You seem¡­ unusually cheerful this morning."


    Kael simply shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. "I just feel good, that¡¯s all. No particular reason." Then, as if reconsidering, he added, "Or maybe¡­ it¡¯s because I finally spoke about a few things I¡¯d been burying inside for a while. It made my heart feel lighter."


    Laura¡¯s expression softened. She reached up, her fingers brushing gently against his cheek. "Oh, Kael¡­" she murmured affectionately.


    He smiled at her tenderness and, without another word, closed the distance between them. This time, their kiss deepened, slow and languid, a shared moment of deep intimacy. Laura melted into him, her arms looping around his neck as their tongues entwined.


    For a full minute, the world ceased to exist beyond the touch of lips and the steady rhythm of their breaths. Then, Kael finally pulled away, a mischievous smirk on his face. "By the way, I¡¯ve been meaning to ask you this for a while now," he said, tilting his head curiously. "How come you never have morning breath?"


    Laura blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected question. Then, she chuckled. "Oh, that¡¯s because of my dragon bloodline."


    Kael raised a brow. "Your bloodline prevents bad breath?"


    "And more than that," she replied with a knowing grin. "Bloodlines like mine have automatic cleansing properties. My mouth is always fresh, my hair and body never smell, and I don¡¯t get dirt on my skin even if I go without a shower for days."


    Kael blinked in surprise. "Now that is a useful ability."


    Laura laughed, amused by his reaction, and tugged him closer. "Yes, it is."


    He grinned as she pulled him in for another kiss, their lips meeting once more in a slow, lingering embrace.

 Chapter 89 89: A blood relative (1/2)

    Kael blinked, caught off guard by Laura''s sudden boldness. His wife was always straightforward, but this was unexpected¡ªeven for her.


    She straddled him with a determined look, her dark eyes locked onto his. Kael, despite himself, couldn''t help but chuckle at her confidence. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You do realize we''re guests in someone''s house, right?" he reminded her, resting his hands lightly on her hips. "This is highly inappropriate."


    Laura''s expression faltered for a moment before realization dawned on her. She glanced around the dimly lit guest room, then exhaled, reluctantly conceding. "¡­Right. That would be extremely rude." She said, climbing off of him with a graceful ease. "We''ll do it at the inn tomorrow, then."


    Kael sighed. "Or, hear me out¡ªwe could wait until we return home?"


    Laura immediately shook her head. "No."


    He raised an eyebrow. "No?"


    "When there''s a problem, the solution cannot be postponed," she declared with the kind of conviction one would expect from a seasoned general. "The more one avoids confronting an issue, the more complicated it becomes. You said you were embarrassed to talk about this, right? Then we deal with it now before it turns into something bigger. You know that it is not big things that bring problems to one''s lives. Well, they do in a way, but they were all solvable things with simpler solutions. However, the little things we ignore in our daily lives will be the ones that become too complicated when they add up and become big to the point that we can''t see out. And when we do, we often make a wrong choice."


    Kael stared at her, momentarily speechless. Her logic, while applied to something entirely different from its usual context, was sound.


    "You amaze me sometimes," he admitted, watching as she casually settled back beside him.


    Laura grinned. "I know."


    Kael exhaled, running a hand through his hair. Perhaps it was time to start confronting his own problems instead of avoiding them.


    The heavy silence of midnight was broken only by the soft rustling of fabric as Kael donned his assassin attire. The black ensemble clung to him like a second skin, his movements as silent as the shadows he became one with. With practiced ease, he slipped out of the guest room, leaving behind the warm embrace of sleep¡ªand Laura.


    This time, he wasn''t sneaking to steal something.


    He strode through the dimly lit corridors, his footfalls deliberately audible against the polished wooden floor. This wasn''t a mission of secrecy; it was a message. He was here to demand answers.


    Reaching Nadia''s door, he pushed it open without hesitation. The old alchemist lay curled under a thick quilt, her long red hair spilling over the pillow in gentle waves.


    Kael didn''t hesitate. In a single swift motion, he pressed the cold edge of his dagger against her throat.


    Nadia''s eyes snapped open. And Kael frowned instead.


    She didn''t gasp. Didn''t jerk away. Didn''t even tense.


    Her eyes, still heavy with sleep, adjusted to the darkness, slowly locking onto his. A stranger might have expected her pulse to race, her breath to quicken, her body to tremble beneath the weight of mortal peril. But none of that happened. Her breathing remained steady, her heartbeat unchanged¡ªunshaken.


    She looked completely calm as if she is not afraid of death.


    For a moment, the dagger at her throat felt almost useless. She wasn''t fighting, wasn''t resisting, but she also wasn''t breaking.


    Finally, after a long silence, Nadia exhaled, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "If you mean to kill me, boy¡­ then do it quickly."


    Kael narrowed his eyes. "Boy?"


    A thin, humorless smile tugged at her lips. "What else should I call you?" Her voice was calm, too calm for a woman with a blade pressed against her throat. "You think you are the first assassin to hold a knife to me in my sleep?"


    Kael didn''t react. He simply pressed the blade a little deeper¡ªnot enough to cut, but enough to remind her of its presence. "Except that this assassin knows how to kill you."


    Nadia''s expression didn''t change. "You already know that I can''t be killed by this method. You know where my heart was," she said, her voice barely a breath. "Why were you bothering putting a dagger at my throat instead?"


    Kael''s lips curled into a smirk. "So you did notice."


    Nadia closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again. "I wouldn''t, had you positioned exactly in the same location you picked up the chest from¡­ Next time you do something like this, be careful. Not everyone is as apathetic as I am."


    A thick silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken truths.


    Kael studied her, his mind calculating, observing, assessing. Her fear was there¡ªhe could see it¡ªbut her body didn''t betray her. That meant one of two things: either she had trained herself to suppress instinctual responses¡­ or something was very, very wrong with her.


    His grip on the dagger tightened slightly.


    "Tell me," he whispered. "What is your relation to the Moonstone House?"


    Nadia barely had a moment to process the question before Kael continued, his tone sharpening like the edge of his blade.


    "As you suspect, I saw what''s inside that chest of yours¡ªinside, there was a cloak bearing the old Moonstone crest." His golden eyes glinted in the dim candlelight, predatory and unyielding. "That symbol hasn''t been used for centuries. How it came into your possession? And now, a Moonstone just happens to be living under your roof?" He leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. "What are the odds?"


    Nadia''s lips parted slightly, but no words came. The weight of his accusation pressed down on her like a vice.


    Kael smirked coldly at her hesitation. "You know, I expected you to deny it," he murmured. "But that look on your face? That silence?" His grip on the hilt of his dagger tightened. "It''s as good as a confession."


    Nadia''s hands clenched the sheets beneath her, but still, her pulse remained eerily steady. After a brief pause, a slow breath escaped Nadia''s lips as she steadied herself. "If you''re here to kill me," she said, her voice barely above a murmur, "then do it. I''m at the end of my life anyway. You won''t get any answers from me."


    Kael''s gaze darkened, a slow smirk curling at the edges of his lips. "Since you aren''t afraid of your life, then, there must be someone who you find it precious," he said smoothly, withdrawing the blade just enough to let her speak freely. "I will take your life, Nadia. After that, I will kill the rookie alchemist and the princess." His smirk deepened, his voice turning razor-sharp. "But the entire blame will fall upon that Moonstone."


    For the first time, real tension flickered across Nadia''s face. She stiffened, her fingers clenching the blanket on her lap. "You wouldn''t."


    Kael''s golden eyes gleamed with something unreadable. "Try me." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a whisper. "You''re well aware of how the world works. If all of you die here and he goes missing along with the treasures, the first suspect won''t be some mysterious assassin." His smirk widened. "People will believe Kael Moonstone killed the Princess and both of you. The Queen won''t side with him because she would be feeling grief at the loss of her daughter."

 Chapter 90 90: A blood relative (2/2)

    "You¡­"


    Nadia''s breath hitched, but her heartbeat remained eerily steady. Kael found it fascinating how composed she was¡ªhow even in the face of threat and danger, she didn''t flinch. But that slight reaction at the end¡­ it was enough.


    "More importantly," Kael continued, watching her closely, "I know it won''t come down to that." His fingers twirled the dagger lazily before sheathing it at his side. "Because you care about that young man¡­ don''t you?" His gaze bore into hers. "Both of us know the truth, even if you refuse to admit it. So, I will have you answer some of my questions, Nadia. And I repeat my first question: Are you related to Moonstone House? If I had to phrase it more directly, are you a descendant of Moonstone House?"


    A long silence stretched between them.


    Finally, Nadia let out a heavy sigh. Her shoulders slumped, the weight of years pressing down on her. She closed her eyes briefly before opening them again, her gaze locking onto his with an intensity he hadn''t expected. "Yes, I''m a descendant of Moonstone House. My name is Elowyn Moonstone. Garfeld was my husband''s surname. I took his surname while pursuing an alchemist career. And Kael Moonstone is my grandson, my Hestia''s child."


    Kael''s breath stilled. He had suspected many things¡ªthat she might be his grandaunt or she might have some distant connection to his bloodline¡ªbut this? He hadn''t been prepared for this.


    "Grandson?" He narrowed his eyes, his mind racing to piece it together.


    Nadia''s expression softened, but there was no warmth in it¡ªonly regret. "I left my ten-year-old daughter in my sister''s care, who is the head of the house, and abandoned the capital due to circumstances beyond my control." Her voice wavered for the first time. "I never returned."


    Kael''s jaw clenched. But he controlled his emotions and asked. "And what does Moonstone bloodline have anything to do with the resurrection of the Monarch of Darkness?" His tone carried an edge.


    "Eh? Monarch of Darkness?" Nadia seemed surprised at that question. Kael also knew that she probably has no idea about it, but he just took a shot and while it didn''t strike the target, at the very least, it gave off an impression that he is there to enquire about the Monarch of Darkness¡ªthe founder of ''Clowns of Ark''.


    Nadia shook her head and spoke. "No. I have no idea what you are talking about. As far as I know, Monarch of Darkness has no relation to our Moonstone House. And everyone knows that his body was destroyed in the Battle of Five Kings and his soul was imprisoned away, deep in the bottom of the ocean. It''s impossible to resurrect him."


    A bitter silence settled between them. Kael studied her carefully, weighing her words, her expression, the truth in her eyes. He had spent a fair share of years reading people, knowing when they lied and when they spoke from the heart. And right now¡ªshe wasn''t lying.


    He exhaled slowly, retracting the dagger from her throat. "I believe you." He jumped away from her and landed on the floor.


    Her brows lifted slightly, as if she hadn''t expected him to say that.


    Kael straightened, the dangerous glint in his eyes softening, but only slightly. "I never had the intention of harming Kael Moonstone. If anything¡­" He allowed himself the ghost of a smirk. "I''ve been protecting him from the shadows."


    Nadia remained silent, studying him in return. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I won''t involve myself in your family matters," he said, turning away and stepping toward the window.


    He paused. "But, Grandmaster," he added, his voice taking on a darker tone, "if I find out that you just made up some nonsense to escape my blade¡­" He glanced back, his gaze deadly. "Then I''ll remind you¡ªthere has never been a target I, K, failed to assassinate. It doesn''t matter if you hide in "


    Nadia''s lips parted slightly, but it wasn''t fear that flickered in her eyes. It was recognition. "K?" she murmured, her voice tinged with something close to disbelief.


    As the shadow of Kael''s presence faded from the room, Nadia remained motionless, staring at the spot where he had last stood. "The Enemy of the Throne¡­ Noble Assassin K¡­" she murmured under her breath. Her frown deepened as she turned toward the dim candlelight, its flickering glow casting wavering shadows along the walls. "On one hand, he''s acting against Queen and on the other hand, he is secretly protecting her son-in-law?" She shook her head in disbelief. "That was the last thing I expected¡­"


    Her eyes instinctively flickered toward the old wardrobe standing silently in the corner of the room. She couldn''t help but climb down the bed and move toward it, before reaching out to the wooden chest. "I hope the items are still here." Holding her breath, she flipped the latches open and lifted the lid.


    Inside, three objects lay nestled against a velvet lining.


    She exhaled in relief. "Untouched." She then gazed at the opened window and murmured. "Now, what should I do with Kael?"


    *


    The next morning, Laura stirred slightly, her body still caught in the haze of sleep. A warm presence beside her made her blink groggily, her vision adjusting to the sight of Kael lying next to her, propped up on one elbow. His gaze was fixed on her, a soft smile playing at his lips.


    "Good morning," he murmured, his voice smooth yet teasing. "You really have the most beautiful eyes when you wake up."


    Laura felt a flush rise to her cheeks, the warmth of his words seeping into her drowsy consciousness. Before she could fully process it, Kael leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. It was brief, but enough to send her heart racing.


    "What''s gotten into you?" she asked, still a bit groggy, but her lips curved into a smile. "You seem¡­ unusually cheerful this morning."


    Kael simply shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. "I just feel good, that''s all. No particular reason." Then, as if reconsidering, he added, "Or maybe¡­ it''s because I finally spoke about a few things I''d been burying inside for a while. It made my heart feel lighter."


    Laura''s expression softened. She reached up, her fingers brushing gently against his cheek. "Oh, Kael¡­" she murmured affectionately.


    He smiled at her tenderness and, without another word, closed the distance between them. This time, their kiss deepened, slow and languid, a shared moment of deep intimacy. Laura melted into him, her arms looping around his neck as their tongues entwined.


    For a full minute, the world ceased to exist beyond the touch of lips and the steady rhythm of their breaths. Then, Kael finally pulled away, a mischievous smirk on his face. "By the way, I''ve been meaning to ask you this for a while now," he said, tilting his head curiously. "How come you never have morning breath?"


    Laura blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected question. Then, she chuckled. "Oh, that''s because of my dragon bloodline."


    Kael raised a brow. "Your bloodline prevents bad breath?"


    "And more than that," she replied with a knowing grin. "Bloodlines like mine have automatic cleansing properties. My mouth is always fresh, my hair and body never smell, and I don''t get dirt on my skin even if I go without a shower for days."


    Kael blinked in surprise. "Now that is a useful ability."


    Laura laughed, amused by his reaction, and tugged him closer. "Yes, it is."


    He grinned as she pulled him in for another kiss, their lips meeting once more in a slow, lingering embrace.

 Chapter 91 91: The Game of Advanced Chess

    The next day;


    In the living room, a large chessboard occupied the center of the table, but this was no ordinary chess game¡ªit was an advanced version developed by the Empire of Nymira a century ago and later exported to the rest of the world¡ªa 16x16 battlefield of intellect, strategy, and deception.


    Laura and Nadia sat across from each other, their gazes locked in silent concentration. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken challenges as the two women engaged in the game. Kael, seated beside Laura, simply observed.


    He knew the basics of chess¡ªthe standard 8x8 board with pawns, knights, rooks, and the usual setup¡ªbut this? This was something else entirely above his head.


    He watched the game with intense concentration in silence, but his mind struggled to keep up with the sheer complexity on the board.


    Unlike the classic game, this board sprawled with twice the number of squares and a far more intricate set of pieces. Apart from the usual General (the strongest piece on the board and one that represents the strongest military authority in the queendom), the Queen (the helpless and yet the strongest authority on the board¡ªof course, representing the absolute authority in the queendom), Bishops (pieces that represent the religious clergywomen who control the masses), Knights (pieces that represent the elite warrior pieces), and Rooks (pieces that represent the feudal lords), there were additional units that made Kael''s head spin just trying to remember their abilities:


    Two Marshals¡ªwho could move like both a knight and a rook.


    A Light Cardinal¡ªwhich could maneuver like a knight or a bishop, but only on white squares.


    A Shadow Cardinal¡ªidentical to the Light Cardinal, but restricted to black squares.


    Two Fortresses¡ªMoves like the General but unable to move past the 8th row from their starting position. Unlike other pieces, a Fortress piece cannot capture an enemy. It can be merely used to protect other chess pieces. But at the same time, a Fortress piece cannot be killed by an enemy pawn too. And once killed, a Fortress cannot be revived by the pawn either.


    Two Imposters/False Queens¡ªperhaps the most fascinating and game-changing piece in this advanced version as they also mimic the General''s movements, roaming all over the board but lacking offensive or defensive power. Instead, their purpose was deception, allowing them to switch places with the Queen under specific conditions like the Queen cannot be in check, and neither can the imposter be in a position where there is a direct threat from the enemy piece. While switching places, there should be no pieces placed in the squares between them.


    Kael rubbed his temple as Laura moved her Shadow Cardinal with a decisive flick of her fingers. "When will this end? It''s going on for like two and a half hours."


    Laura leaned back, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. "You''ve been playing defensively for the past fifteen moves, Lady Nadia," she mused.


    Nadia let out a small chuckle, her hands folding together as she studied the board. "Caution is not the same as fear, dear. And besides, you''re rather aggressive lately. Tell me, are you losing your patience?"


    Laura didn''t answer, but the glint in her eyes spoke volumes.


    Kael watched as another exchange of moves took place, the two women seemingly predicting and countering each other''s actions several steps ahead. The tension between them was obvious, yet neither seemed frustrated¡ªonly thrilled. If anyone is frustrated, it is Kael, who wants to leave but can''t leave.


    As the sun almost rose to its peak state, meanwhile in Nadia''s residence, the chess game finally reached a critical juncture¡ªLaura and Nadia were evenly matched, their pieces positioned in a delicate balance where the first one who made the mistake would lose the advantage and the game will tilt completely in another favor. The tension in the room was quite thick, both women silently calculating their next move.


    Just as Laura reached for her Light Cardinal, about to make a decisive move¡ª


    *BOOM*


    A deafening explosion from downstairs rattled the entire house. The walls trembled slightly, and the impact sent a shockwave strong enough to make the pieces on the chessboard quiver.


    Laura shot up from her seat alarm flashing in their eyes. "It''s Penelope." She said.


    Nadia, with her gaze still on the board, spoke casually. "She messed up quicker than I expected."


    Kael was already on his feet. "I''ll check it out!" he called out, rushing toward the exit and going downstairs.


    When he reached there, he saw the once-pristine lab now in ruins. Broken glass littered the floor, shelves had been knocked over, and an acrid smoke hung in the air, burning his nostrils. The cauldron at the center of the room was completely obliterated¡ªreduced to nothing but jagged shards of metal. The explosion had been violent. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And amidst the chaos, Penelope lay on the ground, barely conscious.


    *cough* cough* cough*


    She was coughing heavily; her usual composed demeanor was gone. Her lab coat was torn in places; her sleeves singed from the blast. Blood trickled from a shallow cut on her forehead, and one of her arms was twisted at an unnatural angle. She groaned, trying to push herself up, but her body failed her.


    Kael wasted no time.


    He rushed to her side, kneeling as he pulled out a healing potion from his storage ring. He then carefully lifted her head with the other.


    "Miss Penelope, drink this," he urged.


    She barely stirred, her breath coming out in short gasps. Kael tilted the vial against her lips, pouring the liquid into her mouth. The moment the potion entered her system, its effects took hold almost instantly. The shallow cuts across her arms began to heal, and the worst of the burns faded slightly. But she still looked quite weak.


    Kael exhaled, observing around. "There is heavy equipment damage but apart from that, the walls are fine. And so was the floor." He rubbed his forehead, murmuring a complaint under his breath. "Ugh¡­ today was supposed to be the last day of the quest and this happened."

 Chapter 92 92: The Neutralizing Agent

    An hour later;


    Penelope stirred awake, her body still aching from the explosion. As her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting of the room, she became aware of a figure sitting beside her¡ªNadia, aka Elowyn Garfeld (Moonstone).


    The older woman had a knowing smile on her face, one that made Penelope groan even before she spoke.


    "Let me guess," Nadia mused, her voice light with amusement. "You added atleast a 1.18:1 ratio of water to the Thyrelm sap instead of standard 0.83:1, which diluted the mixture too much. So, to compensate, you kept increasing the temperature to evaporate the excess water."


    Penelope let out a soft groan, pressing a hand to her forehead. "I was careless, Grandmaster. I thought it was too sticky. So, I added more water, only to realize I added too much."


    Nadia chuckled. "Well, my dear, when Thyrelm sap is heated to its boiling point¡ª180 degrees Celsius¡ªit breaks down and releases pure sodium."


    Penelope sighed. "Yeah, and sodium reacted with water and caused an explosion."


    "Exactly." Nadia leaned back, folding her arms. "And with all that water vapor from the evaporation; it seemed like you forgot to adjust the temperature settings thereby increasing the humidity. You created the perfect storm."


    Penelope felt a wave of frustration with herself. She knew it already.


    "What you need is¡ª" Nadia began, but Penelope cut her off.


    "A neutralizing agent. Something that binds to the sodium before it can react with water," she muttered.


    Nadia smiled approvingly. "Good. Now, do you know which reagent can do that without compromising the integrity of your potion?"


    Penelope frowned, running through possibilities in her mind. There were a few candidates, but finding the right one was the real challenge.


    She closed her eyes, mentally reviewing the properties of each ingredient. And then, it clicked.


    "Baking soda," she said firmly. "It''s stable, won''t interfere with the core ingredients, and it binds with sodium to form an inert compound." S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nadia chuckled softly, her expression warm yet full of wisdom. "But it will release Hydrogen, which is flammable. The answer to your problem is the Chlorine gas."


    Penelope frowned. "But Chlorine gas isn''t available in the market and it is quite toxic."


    To which Nadia chuckled again. "Lucky for you," she said, tilting her head slightly, "the mountains had the exact ingredient you needed."


    Penelope blinked in confusion. "What is it?"


    "The reagent you were searching for," Nadia explained, "was Veilroot. Like the Thyrelm sap, when it is heated to its boiling point, it releases the gas of Chlorine, and if you mix them¡ªit releases a stable compound, sodium chloride. In other words¡ª"


    "Salt," Penelope finished, her eyes widening.


    Nadia nodded. "Exactly. Instead of causing a dangerous reaction, the sodium would have simply settled at the bottom of your cauldron as a solid block. No explosion, no catastrophe¡ªjust a lesson learned the easy way instead of the hard way."


    Penelope let out a deep sigh, rubbing her temples. She felt too embarrassed to make a mess after talking big with the grandmaster the other day. She couldn''t even make a simple tonic properly and here she was dreaming about creating the legendary philosopher''s stone.


    "Thank you, Grandmaster," she said earnestly after gathering her thoughts. "I truly appreciate your guidance. And¡­ I''m sorry about the mess I made." She hesitated, her voice dropping with guilt. "I''ll reimburse you for all the damaged equipment. I promise."


    Nadia waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, don''t be so serious. It''s fine."


    Penelope frowned slightly. That was¡­ unexpected.


    But then Nadia continued, her tone casual yet firm. "In fact, you can continue using my lab rent-free for as long as you need. And don''t worry about the things you destroyed."


    Penelope''s eyes widened. "Rent-free?" That was an incredibly generous offer. She was prepared to pay compensation amount for all that damage. But instead, the grandmaster not only forgave her but even acted quite generously. "I¡ªI don''t know what to say." She hesitated. "I appreciate the kindness, but this is¡­ a bit much, isn''t it?"


    Nadia simply smiled. "Nonsense. Consider it an investment in a promising young alchemist."


    Penelope felt a flicker of pride at the praise, but a lingering doubt crept into her mind. Was she really worth enough for the Grandmaster''s generosity?


    She glanced at Nadia, studying her carefully. The old woman''s expression was calm, unreadable.


    But in reality, it had nothing to do with her or the association at all.


    Nadia wasn''t offering Penelope favors because of her status¡ªshe was doing it because of Kael. After all, which grandmother wouldn''t want an excuse to spend more time with her grandson?


    "You should rest, Penelope," Nadia eventually said with a firm yet gentle tone. "I''ll go with Kael and Laura to gather the Veilroot."


    Penelope sat up slightly, her expression shifting to protest. "No, Grandmaster. Ugh¡­ I can''t let you do that for me. It''s my responsibility. I''ll go myself once I recover¡ª"


    Nadia raised a hand, cutting her off with a knowing smile. "Oh, stop that. I''m not doing this for you. I have my own reasons to go into the forest. There are a few things I need to collect anyway."


    Penelope hesitated, her lips parting as if to argue further, but she stopped.


    "But¡ª"


    "And besides," Nadia continued smoothly, "without an alchemist''s guidance, it will be incredibly difficult for those two to find Veilroot. Veilroot is nearly indistinguishable from ginseng. Unless you want them to come back with a bag full of useless plants, I should go with them."


    That gave Penelope pause. She read about Veilroot in the books; it is just that she never worked with them before. According to the books, it was indeed a tricky ingredient to identify¡ªonly subtle differences in texture and scent separated it from common ginseng. Even a skilled herbalist could be fooled if they weren''t careful.


    Still, she felt uneasy about accepting the help. "I don''t want to be a burden," she muttered, glancing away.


    Nadia chuckled. "Oh, dear child, you overthink too much. Consider this a simple errand, not some grand favor. Now, rest and recover. We''ll handle the rest."


    Penelope exhaled, finally nodding. "I thank you for the help. After your return, I want to treat you all to lunch."


    "Sure, I will be looking forward to it," Nadia smiled, patting Penelope''s arm and got up.

 Chapter 93 93: Laura serving Kael (explicit content)

    As the sunset arrived, Kael and Laura had found themselves a cozy little inn to spend instead of staying at Nadia''s house for that night, on Laura''s insistence to have s*x.


    Kael was lying down, his naked body glistening in the dim light of the room, while Laura straddled him, her lips wrapped around his nine-inch erect manhood.


    "Mmm, we should have done this long ago," Laura moaned, her voice husky with desire.


    Kael''s hands were buried in her hair, guiding her movements as he lifted his hips to meet her lips. At the same time, he was licking the entrance of her sanctum, his tongue dancing across her swollen flesh. Laura''s eyes were closed, her face scrunched up in concentration as her mouth took in his manhood deeper.


    As they continued to pleasure each other, Laura suddenly sat up and turned around, her eyes locking with Kael''s. "Enough with the foreplay, I want to feel you inside me now. You just continue to lie down," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of their heavy breathing.


    Kael''s eyes lit up with excitement as Laura positioned herself above him, her sanctum hovering above his manhood. She slowly lowered herself down, and Kael felt his eyes roll back in his head as she engulfed him with her warm, wet flesh.


    "Mmm~" Laura''s eyes were closed, her face scrunched up in concentration as she moved up and down, her sanctum clenching around Kael''s shaft. Her peaks, hard and erect, as she rode him with all her might. Aah~ Aah~ Aah~ Mmm~ Kael~


    "Oh, Honey~" "You are so good"


    As they moved together, their bodies began to sweat, their skin slick with moisture.


    Kael''s hands were firmly on Laura''s hips, guiding her movements as he thrust up into her. Laura''s hands were on his chest, her fingers trying to dig into his skin as she rode him harder. The sound of their heavy breathing filled the room, their moans and groans mingling together as they moved closer to climax.


    Kael''s manhood was buried deep inside Laura''s sanctum, his shaft throbbing with pleasure as she took him deeper to the point that he felt hitting something inside her sanctum.


    Suddenly, Laura''s body began to shudder, her sanctum clenching around Kael''s shaft as she reached climax. "Oh, Kael¡­ I''m going to release it. It is a safe day. So give it to me. Don''t hold back¡­"


    Kael''s eyes lit up with excitement as he felt her releasing the fluids, his own body responding to her orgasm. He thrust up into her, his manhood buried deep inside her sanctum, as he reached his own climax.


    *Thawck* Thwack* Thwack*


    With a few final thrusts, Kael released himself into Laura, his manhood erupting in a fountain of fluid, filling her sanctum. Laura''s body was shuddering, her sanctum clenching around Kael''s shaft, as she felt his hot fluid filling her body. They lay there for a moment, their bodies entwined, their breathing heavy, as they recovered from their intense lovemaking.


    "That was amazing," she spoke, her voice husky as she took heavy breaths.


    "Yeah, indeed." Kael smiled, his eyes closed in satisfaction, as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. They lay there for a moment, their sweaty bodies still connected


    But Laura wasn''t finished yet, as always. Just after half a minute of rest, Laura leaned forward, her lips brushing against Kael''s ear. "But, I wasn''t fully satisfied yet. I want more," she whispered, her voice husky with desire as she reached out to his manhood and stroked it. It went hard in almost an instant.


    "As you wish, my princess."


    He rolled over, his body pinning Laura to the bed, as he began to thrust his manhood into her sanctum with all his might.


    "Aaaah~"


    A loud moan escaped her lips; her hips arched up as her hands caught the headboard of the bed.


    However, after a few thrusts, Laura suddenly stopped it. "Wait¡­ wait¡­"


    Kael, surprised, stopped moving his hips and looked at her face. But before he reacted, Laura reached out to his face. "I just thought of something new," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of their heavy breathing.


    Laura then slid off the bed and dropped to her knees on the floor.


    "Get on the edge of the bed," she instructed. Kael complied, his eyes fixed on Laura as she positioned herself between his legs. She grasped his shaft, her fingers wrapping around it like a vice, and began to stroke him slowly.


    "Oh, my goddess¡­"


    Kael''s eyes rolled back in his head as Laura''s lips brushed against the tip of his manhood. He felt ecstasy all over, experiencing this new position. It made him feel like he was the one dominating here, and not just when he was thrusting his manhood into her sanctum.


    She took him into her mouth, her tongue dancing across his flesh as she sucked him deep. Kael''s hands couldn''t help but bury in her hair, guiding her movements as he thrust his hips up to meet her lips.


    As they moved together, Laura''s hands began to roam over Kael''s body, her fingers tracing the lines of his muscles, her nails trying to dig into his skin. Kael''s eyes were fixed on her, his gaze burning with desire as he watched her mouth move up and down his shaft.


    After a while, Kael pinned her on the bed, her legs spread apart, and her entire lower body was raised, his hands grasping her thighs before his manhood thrusting deeply into her while he was in a standing position.


    "I''m going to finish. Take it all¡­" "Give it to me, Oh, Kael¡­"


    He released another stream of fluid into her sanctum and collapsed beside her.


    Taking heavy breaths, she lay her head on his chest, drawing invisible rings. "So, you think we can do this lately? There are still a few days left before my ovulation period comes up. I like you releasing it inside and I know that you also like it but ."


    "You do?" Kael blinked. Just as he replied, his manhood stood erect on its own once again. Laura''s eyes fell on it, and she couldn''t help but comment. "Your lust drive sure never changes. But this time, I might need a few minutes to recover. I don''t think I have the strength left to ride on you properly." She said, her eyes glinting in mischievous.


    Kael blushed in embarrassment. "Well, you don''t have to. It is just the body''s natural reaction. I just¡­ Ugh¡­" Laura suddenly grabbed his hardened manhood, which was erected fully once again with her grab. As she stroked his throbbing shaft, she replied as her eyes turned into vertical slits. "We can go again. I will use the bloodline ability to restore some of my stamina."


    "You don''t have to¡­" "Ugh¡­"


    "C''mon, dear, I told you that today is your day and I will serve you to the best of my abilities." As she started stroking his throbbing manhood harder and Kael involuntarily shut his eyes in lust, all of a sudden, the door to their room burst open, and two masked individuals strode in.


    The figures were tall and bulky, their physiques unmistakably female. They wore black masks that covered their faces, and their eyes gleamed with a menacing intensity.


    "Alright, we can''t take it anymore," one of them complained, her voice dripping with malice.


    Kael and Laura froze, their bodies still entwined as they stared at the intruders in shock and outrage. "What the...?" Kael started to say, but the figure cut him off.


    "Don''t worry. We''re not here to watch you f**k like starved beasts again and again, although it''s quite¡­entertaining," the other woman said, her voice appearing quite emotionless as if she didn''t mean what she said. "But unfortunately, we can''t afford to waste too much time waiting." sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Laura''s eyes flashed with anger as she scrambled off Kael''s lap, her naked body trembling with rage. "Who in the hell are you? Get out!" she spat, but the women just laughed, their eyes glinting with amusement.


    "I don''t think so," one of them said, taking a step closer to the bed. "We''re just getting started."


    The taller of the two intruders let out a low chuckle. "Oh, just a couple of women who heard that a certain imperial princess and her husband, the Queen''s son-in-law, were foolish enough to travel without an escort." She tilted her head slightly. "What a golden opportunity."


    Kael exhaled sharply, already analyzing their stance, their breathing, their posture. Mercenaries? Assassins? No. Their movements weren''t refined enough for that. More like brawlers¡ªexperienced but lacking the deadly precision of trained killers. That didn''t make them any less dangerous.


    Laura, without hesitation, flicked her wrist.


    A thick tome materialized in her grasp, pages fluttering open as magic pulsed through the air.


    Before she could launch the attack, the taller intruder stretched her hand forward.


    A swirling mist exploded outward through her palm, blanketing the room in a dense fog.


    Kael narrowed his eyes to see through the mist. His eyes mildly glowed in a dark light as he saw the silhouettes of the enemies. The shorter one was about to act something, taking out something from her storage ring. His face hardened.


    A second later, something changed. The mist didn''t just dissipate¡ªit was erased, vanishing in the blink of an eye. Laura''s tome was gone as well, yanked from existence like a candle snuffed out by the wind.


    A soft hum filled the room, emanating from a strange, pyramid-shaped artifact clutched in the hands of the shorter intruder. Runes flickered across its surface, shifting in hues of blue and violet.


    "Mana severed," the woman stated smugly. "No more magic tricks, princess."

 Chapter 94 94: Kael and the intruders

    Laura''s breath hitched as an unnatural weight pressed against her chest. Her mana¡­ it was locked away. It wasn''t like having an empty reservoir¡ªit was like it didn''t exist at all. She turned sharply to Kael. "What about the wolf?"


    Kael flexed his fingers, feeling for the familiar, distant tether that connected him to Nyx through the tattoo. There was nothing. His connection was cut clean. He met Laura''s gaze and shook his head.


    "Looks like we''re completely at their mercy," he muttered.


    The taller intruder cracked her knuckles. "That''s right. Both of you are at our mercy. Because of the noise cancellation spell around the room, you wouldn''t be able to call for help."


    Laura exhaled sharply, running a hand through her tousled dark hair. She assessed the situation quickly¡ªher magic was sealed, Kael''s spectral wolf was out of the picture, and they were stark naked beneath the bedsheet. Fighting in this condition would be reckless.


    "Fine," she muttered, reaching for her storage ring. With a flick of her wrist, she pulled it off her finger and tossed it onto the wooden floor. The small silver band clinked softly as it landed between the intruders'' feet.


    "That has everything we own," she said, her voice calm and measured. "Money. Valuables. Equipment. Take it and leave."


    The shorter of the two women knelt, picking up the ring and inspecting it under the faint glow of the lantern. Her gloved fingers tightened around it, and for a moment, it seemed like they might actually take the deal. But the taller intruder, the one holding the artifact, remained still.


    "That''s not enough," the masked woman finally said, her tone firm.


    Laura''s emerald eyes narrowed. "Then what else do you want?" After a brief pause, she continued. "I''m not involved in politics, nor do I meddle in the affairs of the palace," she stated. "Even if you take me hostage, it will do nothing for you. My mother isn''t the type to negotiate."


    Her fingers curled tightly around the bedsheet, her expression unyielding. "Instead, she would rather let her children bleed. Then she makes those responsible bleed tenfold. If you''re hoping for ransom, you''re better off taking what you''ve been given and leaving. That storage ring holds enough wealth for you to live comfortably for years."


    The room grew tense, the intruders exchanging glances. Laura''s words had landed¡ªshe could see the hesitation in the way the shorter woman shifted her stance.


    But the one holding the artifact wasn''t convinced.


    "Comfortable for a few years?" she echoed, tilting her head. "We''re looking for something more permanent."


    Kael, who had been watching quietly, finally spoke. His voice was serious, almost warning.


    "Don''t push your luck, lady," he said. He leaned back slightly against the headboard, the bedsheet dipping just low enough to reveal the taut muscle of his chest. "You''ve no idea what Her Majesty is capable of."


    In response to Kael''s warning, the bulkier and taller masked intruder lunged forward, seizing Laura''s wrist in a vice-like grip. Laura''s eyes widened in shock. "What the¡ª"


    Without warning, the woman swung her like she weighed nothing. Laura''s body was flung across the room like a ragdoll, the force sending her airborne.


    "Laura!" Kael roared, fists clenched.


    Before she could hit the ground, the other intruder caught her in midair. Arms like iron bands wrapped over her shoulders from underneath, locking her in place. She struggled, but without her mana, she was powerless against the raw strength restraining her.


    Kael''s heart pounded. His golden eyes burned with fury.


    The bulky attacker who had thrown Laura turned back to him, cracking her knuckles as if warming up for a real fight.


    "That''s one problem out of the way," she muttered. "Now for you."


    Kael''s pulse slowed. He can take them out whenever he can but he doesn''t want to reveal his secret identity to Laura. Hence, he tried his best to continue acting like a weak noble but filled with courage. "Go ahead and beat me to death if you want. And see what happens."


    The intruder chuckled. "You misunderstood. When I say I want something more permanent, it is not a materialistic reward but a mark that puts your dignity to shame permanently."


    Kael''s eyes widened as the intruder''s gaze locked onto him. "You¡­" He realized what she meant.


    "You''re not what I expected," she continued, her voice low and husky. "That baby face and lean body of yours... you''re quite ripped inside." Her eyes seemed to bore into his skin, making him squirm. "And your thing... it''s bigger than any man I''ve slept with."


    As she spoke, the bedsheet fell to the ground, and Kael''s face burned with embarrassment. He hastily covered himself with his hand, shouting like a helpless lamb, "Don''t come near me!"


    "You, what the hell are you doing?" Laura''s voice cut through the air, a mix of fury and desperation. "You bitch! Don''t you dare touch my husband, or I''ll flay you alive!"


    The intruder''s laughter sent chills down Laura''s spine. "Oh, I''m shaking in my boots. You can try, little wife."


    As the intruder took a step closer, Kael''s false panic set in. "Please, don''t... just don''t do this in front of her. You can do whatever you want with me. I''ll cooperate. just... don''t let her watch."


    Laura''s struggles grew more frantic, her small body straining against the restraints. She was screaming and cursing, but her voice was hoarse from shouting. The intruder''s grin gleamed behind her mask as she approached Kael, who seemed like a frightened lamb. She enjoyed his expression.


    "Too boring that way," she said, her voice dripping with malice.


    Kael''s eyes welled up with tears as he begged, "Please, just... atleast cover her eyes, then. Don''t make her watch this."


    The masked woman tilted her head, amused by Kael''s desperation. "Not a bad idea," she mused, then turned to her partner. "Turn around. Let the little princess listen but not see. It''s more fun if the dear princess hears the screams of her husband but she can''t see what''s going on¡­"


    The other intruder hesitated for a second but eventually complied, adjusting her grip on Laura to ensure she remained locked in place.


    "No¡­" "You bi*ch¡­" "Leave him alone now¡­"


    Laura screamed in frustration, struggling violently against the iron hold, her entire body trembling with rage and helplessness.


    On the other hand, the taller intruder, grabbing the artifact in one hand, reached to Kael with a grin on her face. She didn''t plan on completely complying with Kael''s request. She will ask her partner to turn the princess around after a while. And when the princess breaks down and is done having fun with this baby face, she will switch places with her partner. This is how she will take her vengeance against the princess, teaching her a lesson.


    But when she saw her prey, the latter''s expression suddenly shifted. The fear in his eyes melted away, replaced by something cold, something primal. His baby-faced features hardened like stone, his muscles tensing as if coiling for a strike. He glanced at Laura¡ªher eyes clenched shut, her body writhing in futile resistance¡ªthen exhaled sharply.


    The air in the room changed.


    The intruder standing before him hesitated, sensing something was wrong. That was the last thought she had before the shadows around Kael twisted and roared to life.


    A mass of energy erupted from his body¡ªdark, ethereal, and laced with killing intent. Twin daggers materialized in his hands, glowing with an ominous crimson hue. The woman''s amusement turned to alarm.


    "Wha¡ª?"


    The energy clone lunged. With inhuman speed, he surged forward. She had no time to react. A sickening ''shhhk'' filled the room as Kael''s dagger found its mark, slicing cleanly through her throat. Her eyes widened in shock. Blood sprayed. *Hck*


    She gasped, a final strangled sound leaving her lips before her head rolled from her shoulders and hit the ground with a dull thud.


    The second intruder, hearing the noise, instinctively turned around. The moment she saw her partner''s lifeless body crumpled on the floor, her grip on Laura faltered.


    That was her fatal mistake.


    Kael''s energy clone set its eyes on the next target. It streaked through the air like a phantom blade, severing the second intruder''s head before she could take a single step toward escape.


    Everything just happened in a matter of seconds.


    Silence. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The metallic scent of blood filled the room.


    Laura collapsed to her knees, gasping, her mind catching up with the abrupt shift from despair to salvation.


    Kael stood there, breathing heavily, his gaze remained on the back of his energy clone for a moment longer before he turned to his wife.


    "Are you okay?" His voice was softer now, almost tender, as he rushed to her, running past the energy clone that just stood in the middle of the room in silence. Blood is dripping from the blades in his hands.


    Laura swallowed hard, then nodded, still catching her breath. Her hands were clenched so tightly they shook, but she refused to show weakness. Like Kael, her gaze was also on this energy being who just appeared out of nowhere. "Wha¡­"

 Chapter 95 95: Aftermath

    Kael and Laura stood still, their bodies pressed together as they gazed at the energy being that saved them and then the lifeless corpses sprawled across the floor.


    The eerie silence was broken by the slow dissipation of the energy being, its presence fading into the air. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kael''s eyes then flickered to the strange artifact lying on the floor¡ªthe pyramid-shaped object covered in glowing runes. Without hesitation, he reached down, gripping it tightly. A wisp of mana flickered from his fingertips, intertwining with the runes.


    Almost instantly, a wave of relief washed over Laura as she felt the suppression of her magic lift. She turned to Kael, her expression puzzled. "What was that thing?"


    Kael suddenly threw his arms up, his voice rising with frustration. "How the f**k should I know?! One moment, I thought I was going to lose my dignity, and the next thing I know, that¡ªthing¡ªjust came out of nowhere and massacred them!" His breaths were still uneven, the residual adrenaline making his muscles tense.


    Laura fell silent, staring at him, then lowered her gaze. "Sorry." Normally, she would feel suspicious as the timing of its appearance itself is very strange, but seeing her husband flare up in anger, she chose to believe him instead. Moreover, she was also aware that her husband wasn''t remotely strong enough to confront them and there was no way he could conjure such a thing.


    Kael blinked. His anger melted in an instant, replaced by guilt. He ran a hand down his face and sighed. "No. I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have snapped."


    She shook her head. "I understand." She stepped closer, gripping his hands tightly. Her eyes shimmered with an intensity that made his breath hitch. "But I swear to you, Kael¡ªyou will never have to go through something like this again. Ever."


    Kael stared at her, seeing the fierce determination behind her words. Then, exhaling softly, he pulled her into a firm embrace. "Things happen, Dear," he murmured into her hair. "You can''t blame yourself for this."


    Laura''s grip tightened on the back of his neck.


    "And besides," Kael continued, pulling back just enough to look her in the eye, "everything worked out in the end, didn''t it?"


    Laura let out a small, breathy laugh, shaking her head. "I swear, only you would say that after something like this."


    Kael smirked, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "That''s why you love me."


    She rolled her eyes but smiled anyway.


    Very soon, as the tension in the room settled, Kael became acutely aware of something.


    They were hugging. Naked.


    And, as if his body had a will of its own, he felt the unmistakable sensation of his arousal. His face heated up instantly, and his manhood became a stiff tower.


    Laura, still pressed against him, tensed. A second later, she pulled back slightly, her eyes flickering downward before locking onto his face. "Are you serious right now?" she asked, her voice caught between disbelief and mild complaint.


    Kael turned an even deeper shade of red. "I-I''m not at fault here!" he stammered, averting his gaze. "Your body is at fault! And¡ªand earlier, we didn''t even get to finish!"


    Laura''s jaw dropped slightly before she let out an exasperated laugh. She playfully smacked his chest, her cheeks tinged pink. "Kael, there are corpses on the floor. Corpses! And you''re thinking about that?"


    Kael groaned, running a hand through his hair. "It''s my body''s automatic response! Neither my fault nor my intention!"


    Laura sighed dramatically, shaking her head before giving him a teasing smirk. "I swear, your level of lust is something else."


    Kael grumbled under his breath but couldn''t deny it. His timing was horrible.


    Laura huffed, then took a step back, bending down to retrieve the discarded bedsheet and wrapping it around herself. "First things first," she said, glancing at the remains of their unexpected guests, "we deal with this mess.''"


    Kael swallowed hard, rubbing his neck. "Yeah¡­ good idea."


    But even as they prepared to clean up, he couldn''t shake the embarrassment. Of all the times for his body to betray him¡­


    As soon as they were clothed, Laura wasted no time in kneeling beside the corpses, reaching down to remove the masks.


    What they saw made her blood run cold. Kael furrowed his brows, muttering. "Brianna and Hilda?"


    Two of the five mercenaries were assigned to protect them. And the taller one who attempted to violate his dignity was none other than the leader of those mercenaries.


    Laura''s golden eyes burned with fury as her hands clenched into fists. "Those bi*ches," she snarled, her voice trembling with rage. "They dared to do this?"


    Kael, though equally furious, kept his expression neutral as he turned over one of the bodies, searching for any hidden weapons or clues. He glanced at Laura before quietly handing back her storage ring. "Here."


    Laura snatched the ring from his hand, still fuming. Kael didn''t bother to calm her down and instead shifted his attention to the pyramid-shaped artifact on the ground¡ªthe one that had suppressed their mana earlier. He picked it up, his eyes narrowing as he studied the intricate glowing runes inscribed on its surface. "This thing is dangerous." This is the first thought came to his head.


    The fact that it had sealed his spectral summon, Nyx, meant it wasn''t an ordinary artifact. His mana had also been restricted, although not entirely¡ªhe was still able to summon his energy clone and had his prowess of a Tier-9, unlike Laura, whose magic had been completely cut off. That meant one thing.


    It doesn''t just block mana. It suppresses it based on the user''s power level.


    Kael''s reserves were far beyond Tier-7, meaning the artifact had only affected a fraction of his strength. But Brianna and Hilda were Tier-7¡­ which made him wonder:


    "If I use this, can I suppress someone at Tier-9 or below?"


    The possibility sent a thrill through him. If he could somehow modify the artifact so it wouldn''t affect his summoning seal, then he could use it not just as K, the noble assassin, but also as Kael Moonstone. Like suppressing others and sending the spectral wolf at them.


    His fingers tightened around the artifact as a small smirk played on his lips. "This might be the most useful thing I''ve ever looted from the enemies I killed." He thought in his head.

 Chapter 96 96: Quill of Destiny

    After cleaning the floor and storing the bodies inside Brianna''s own storage ring, Kael and Laura sat in silence for a long moment, their minds still reeling from what had happened. There was no point in leaving now¡ªit was past midnight, after all. They decided to wait until dawn before checking out.


    Kael, exhausted from the night''s events, eventually drifted off into a light but peaceful sleep.


    Laura, however, remained restless.


    She lay on her side, staring at the ceiling, then turned to her other side. She adjusted the blanket, then kicked it off entirely. A few minutes later, she pulled it back over herself. No matter how she tried, sleep refused to come.


    How could she sleep?


    In this very room¡­


    Her hands clenched the sheets as flashes of the night replayed in her mind. The mist spell. The artifact suppresses her magic. Being thrown like a ragdoll. Kael''s desperate pleas. Her helplessness. And then¡ªhis sudden, terrifying burst of power, the twin daggers slicing through the intruders like they were nothing.


    She squeezed her eyes shut.


    So much had happened. So much had almost happened.


    A shift in the bed beside her made her turn her head. Kael had woken up, his dark eyes soft with concern as he looked at her. "You''re still awake?" S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Laura let out a frustrated sigh. "I can''t sleep."


    Kael shifted closer, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her against his chest. His warmth was comforting. "Still thinking about it?" he murmured.


    "How could I not?" she whispered. "In this very room, so much happened just hours ago. How am I supposed to close my eyes and pretend like¡ªlike nothing happened?"


    Kael was silent for a moment before he tightened his arms around her. "We survived and got out nicely without getting hurt, whether it is luck or not. That''s what matters," he murmured against her hair. "Just think of it as some nightmare and forget it. We will confront those remaining three in the morning. Now, sleep."


    She closed her eyes, letting herself sink into his embrace, her fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt. She could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, strong and unwavering.


    Laura let out a slow breath. Maybe she wouldn''t be able to sleep just yet¡­ but at least she wasn''t alone.


    Almost half a day later;


    As the golden hues of late afternoon painted the mountain peaks, Kael, Laura, and Nadia trekked through the rugged terrain, the crisp air carrying the scent of damp earth and wild herbs.


    Kael adjusted the strap of his travel bag and glanced at Nadia. "You really didn''t need to convince us, you know. I would''ve come along either way."


    Nadia smirked. "Of course, but this way, you''ll actually gain more knowledge." She knelt by a cluster of plants and gestured for Kael to come closer. "See these leaves? They look ordinary, but when dried and ground, they become a key ingredient in alchemic enhancers. Most people overlook them, which is why they''re rare in the market."


    Kael crouched down, running his fingers over the delicate stems while taking out an ordinary dagger. He cut those stems and stored them in a traveling bag¡ªwhich is basically a variant of a storage ring and carries more or less similar space to the smallest storage ring, like a volume of 1000 cu.ft, but is a lot cheaper to purchase, just at 120 gold coins per bag, compared to 4000 gold coins per average storage ring.


    Laura, standing nearby with arms crossed, watched them with mild amusement. "This is nice and all, but I still think we should be wary. The three remaining mercenaries disappeared without a word. That''s suspicious. Who knows¡­ they might target us in revenge instead of just running away."


    Kael exhaled, shaking his head. "I don''t think they would dare. I mean, first of all, Brianna was their strongest warrior. They would be cautious to attack us as they might think we have some sort of secret protector. Secondly, they are mercenaries. They don''t have that sense of comradeship."


    Nadia''s expression darkened slightly. "We should still stay on guard, Lord Moonstone. They are crazy enough to try to rob both of you despite knowing the risks of offending royalty. Of course, nothing would happen to either of you as long as¡­" Nadia paused, realizing that she was about to blurt out assassin K, and simply ended with, "That mysterious protector, probably sent by the palace, is there. But I would still exercise caution. We can never know what happens in the mountains."


    Meanwhile, Somewhere far away, on the other side of the world¡­


    In the dim glow of flickering candlelight, a quill moved on its own, gliding effortlessly across the pages of an ancient notebook. There was no hand guiding it, no presence visible¡ªonly the eerie scratching of ink against parchment.


    The words appeared in elegant, flowing script:


    "And so, once again, the shadow has struck down his enemies and protected his secret. Soon, more corpses will follow, falling to the wrath of the shadow.


    But, it isn''t very far for the shadow to release the great evil into this world and become its greatest enemy. How many days left for the great evil to rise?"


    The quill hesitated for a moment, hovering just above the paper as if caught in indecision. Then, with renewed purpose, it continued writing:


    "Will the shadow be able to confront the great evil with his Tier-9 strength, or will something rise to shield his destined path?"


    As the final word was written, the ink shimmered faintly before settling into the parchment. The candle beside the notebook flickered violently, as though some unseen force had stirred the air.


    And then, the room fell into silence once more.


    As the quill came to a halt, the soft glow of candlelight cast long shadows across the room. A man stepped forward, his boots barely making a sound against the polished wooden floor. He lowered himself onto a chair before the mysterious notebook, his sharp eyes scanning the freshly written words.


    "It wrote something. Hmm?" His brows furrowed as he read, his fingers drumming lightly against the armrest.


    "One of those fated moments¡­" he murmured, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and concern.


    His gaze flickered to the enchanted quill¡ªthe Quill of Destiny, an artifact known to transcribe the stories of those bound to certain destinies. Yet, even this legendary tool hesitated at the threshold of what lay ahead.


    "So, even the Quill cannot foresee what comes next for this one¡­" he mused, leaning back thoughtfully.


    He closed the book gently, fingers lingering on its worn cover.


    He was closely following the story of shadow. And he was also looking forward to the next part.


    What would become of the shadow? Would he survive, or would something¡ªsomeone¡ªalter the course of destiny itself?


    Only time will tell.