The Vastator royal family is said to be well matched with the Vulgates; they are so close in combat powers, but the shared point has always been their pride, always holding their heads up in the sky and never bowing to anyone; for them, death is a paradise, and kneeling is a hellish disgrace.
...
Under everyone's intense gaze, waiting for her next words in worry, she mesmerized them by her answer.
Serenity raised her hand, saying, "…He obviously got an epiphany."
"U...uh...!?"
Words literally couldn't find their way out, their brains unable to process; a moment of deadly silence covered the whole place.
'Am I supposed to take it as a compliment or be offended? It's really hard to say.' Daniel had an awkward smile, looking at the unmoved woman in front of him. 'Maybe ...she is just crazy?'
Serenity, feeling offended by their stares, frowned, asking, "Why are you people looking at me like that?!"
Sylvia covered her face, feeling awkward, then she averted her irises toward Serenity, asking, "Do you not realize what you were saying, or are you playing dumb?"
"Did I place high standards for her?...I guess I may have acted a bit rushed; no matter how good she was before, it's been so long since she last got involved in such topics." Sylvia removed her hand, feeling disappointed yet hardly controlling her laughter. "An epiphany...really?"
Serenity shook her head then sat straight on her chair, glaring at Sylvia, directing her words at her.
Has anyone heard anything? I think someone maybe brought a dog in here, don't you think?!"
Syrous didn't hesitate to blurt out his mind, "Ouch, that one is hard."
After hearing what Serenity said, Mariana looked around in confusion. Apart from them, there wasn't an extra person; she turned to them, asking,
"What?! I didn't hear anything. Did you?"
She turned at Dan first, but he didn't even look at her. Turning to the others one by one, none paid her any attention.
"What's wrong with all of you?!"
When her eyes fell on Baial, Baial seemed uncomfortable staring at Serenity. Then she looked into her eyes; her expression was full of worry. She hesitated to say anything with tears about to come out. She complained about her grievance to herself, 'It's not like I don't want to say it, but those words are way too heavy for me to bear their weight. I'm not ready to die just yet.'
Belladonna glared at Mariana, scaring her to shut up.
"Would it kill you to shut the hell up?!"
"!!?"
'That bitch is saying I'm a dog?!!' Sylvia thought, as she clenched her fists together, feeling utterly humiliated, almost wanting to beat her on the spot, but she held it in, asking,
"I think you ought to explain yourself."
Serenity bluntly said, "Explain what...explain how much of a light head you actually are?"
That was the last straw for Sylvia; she drew her sword and pointed it at Serenity. "Okay, that's it. I refuse to be humiliated any longer. If you don't explain yourself to me right this instant, I am going to have to use some extreme measures from now on."
Seeing how much of a killing vibe Sylvia's eyes were holding, Serenity didn't feel the slightest bit of fear and kept talking as calm as ever, "Others can't offend us, but can we offend each other? That's another price...I mean, unless you've been hit by a donkey in the head, of course, you would think of going after anyone sitting at this table."
After hearing what Serenity said, she carefully processed everything together. In the end, she realized something out of it. "So this is the epiphany you were talking about?"
"What else, you genius?!"
Seeing how smoothly Serenity answered, Sylvia had no choice but to pull her sword back, admitting defeat. 'No wonder her words were harsh, but this still doesn't feel right!!!'
Sylvia sat down, staring at Serenity, looking for answers.
"I saw the way you looked at Belladonna, so I thought you were going to say it's because of her."
"Why would I?!" Serenity firmly denied Sylvia's claims, asking her a question that made her brain stuck: "What do you think being a king means?"
Seeing the intimidating look in her eyes, Sylvia felt lost, but as a royal she already had an answer firmly formed within herself: "In my eyes a king is a person holding sovereign power over his kingdom and people, someone who has the ability to protect the people in his care."
"At all costs...but you do get the basics at least," Serenity said as she leaned forward on the table with her crossed arms. She directed her gaze at Sylvia as she followed, "Let me tell you what it means that your friend now became the crown prince but you still couldn't. The main reason is his readiness to take action when necessary; he is wise enough to know what to say and when to say it... Your concept of a ruler is a bit forceful. Caring about people was never an obstacle in his path because he was and will always stay the strongest among his peers."
'You sound like a mother!!!' Sylvia felt strange hearing her say those words.
"I admire your opinion, but in my eyes you didn't add anything useful; it's still strength and respect."
"Stop right there." Serenity raised her hand, cutting her words clearly displeased. "Get this straight, kid. What makes the difference between a king and a normal royal is not the shining crown nor the seat but the complete person, a person's resolve to carry that weight, providing the best for his role. If any fleeing relationship can make him waver, then he is unfit to be."
Sylvia felt insulted by her words and tried to fire back, but Serenity remained as cold as ever.
"According to you, are you worthy?!"
"I believe my worth isn't open for discussion for the likes of you who lack this much understanding."
"You-"
Sylvia couldn't say a complete word when Serenity fired at her head.
"Let me get this straight into your little brain ...you're not fit to judge my person."
The way Serenity looked at Sylvia made her shiver; even with her eyes mostly covered, she couldn't help but feel scared.
Syrous stared at them in a daze. 'This situation developed in an unexpected way; this is actually surprising.'
Mariana leaned on Baial's shoulders, whispering in her ears.
"Is she still the serenity we know?!"
"I...I don't know."
Baial lowered her gaze to the ground, deepening thoughts. Deep down she was relieved. 'Thank god I apologized in time. God knows what troubles I would have run into if I had stayed stubborn.'
Baial suddenly raised her head, looking at Serenity.
"Who are you?"
"Someone you can't offend."
"I see."
Those simple words were enough to put her thoughts to an end: 'Who am I to ask such a question? Even those royals couldn't do anything aside from opening their mouths.'
Daniel, who was silently observing for a while, suddenly turned to Serenity.
"I have something to ask you. Can we talk alone for a few minutes? "
"Hush~…" Serenity placed her index over her lips, stopping him from speaking any further. "I know what you want to ask, but I won't answer anything; save your efforts."
Dumbfounded, he asked, "Why?!"
"I don't know you. What makes you think I am obligated to answer you just because you opened your mouth? Dream on, we are not that close."
Her nonchalant attitude left him at a loss for words. Knowing her identity is not simple, he didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble. 'I can't force my way, or the authenticity of the information might be questionable; it's best to look for a mediator.'
Daniel looked at all the people around him. 'Most, if not all, have a not-so-good relationship with her; they are quite unreliable. That leaves only him...'
With his gaze fixed at Ash, he made up his mind; he patted Sylvia's shoulder, asking,
"Do me a favor and take the others away for a few minutes. "
Seeing how serious he looked, she knew it was not her place to interfere.
She reluctantly got up and walked away. "Fine, you owe me one; let's change tables."
"Yes, sir," Baial and Mariana knew they were completely out of place, so they took the chance to slip away.
Ash also did the same with Bella and Syrous.
"Step down, both of you."
"Roger"
All of them headed to the furthest table away without any complaints; the table was cleared of everyone except the three of them.
Ash's tone turned serious, putting one leg over the other as Ash leaned on his arm.
"What do you want from me?"
"Straight to the point, I see."
"Does this seem like a game for you?"
"No, no, no, but..."
Daniel's eyes turned at Serenity being hostile.
"Why didn't you ask her to leave?"
Ash's mood flipped to anger. He was fed up since this morning. "You were the ones to disturb us, and you're the ones who need a favor, not the other way around. Get this straight into your head, kid; it's not that I need you, but it's you who needs me."
Daniel closed his eyes, shaking his head, feeling helpless. "Understood, straight to the point then..."
His expression turned serious, asking, "King Ashoran, what's your demand to work as my connection with Lady Serenity?"
Ash frowned at the scene. 'For a bright member of the proud Vastator clan to lower his head asking for my help—just what kind of information does he need from Serenity?!'
He didn't show how he truly felt and talked as if nothing happened.
"Why do you think i need you to owe me ,just a crown prince who is just watching the crown ,are you even worthy?"
Daniel didn't think much and delivered his answer withought hesitation,
"Iam ?..if lady serenity answered me truthfully then it's over....the value is equivalent to the throne and naturally the reward matches the task ,i can offer whatever as long as its the truth"
Ash kept his intense gaze fixed on Daniel, even from under his eye cover you could tell he is just playing along,
"I will keep it under my tap, but a guaranteed success is uncertain. Do you still wish to keep going regardless?"
"Of course, regardless of success or not, I will still owe you this favor." Daniel tightened his fist, thinking, 'Regardless of the chances, I must take this gamble.'
"You owe me then," Ash said, waving his hand for Daniel to step aside, leaving the two of them alone.
Daniel stood beside the others, worried he dared not to speak, his eyes fixed at their backs. 'I hope I gambled it right, or else the loss will be unimaginable.'
Alone, Ash turned to Serenity, asking, "What do you think?"
Serenity snapped her bandaged hand's fingers useing her crystal butterflies illusion ability to hide what was happening between her and ash.
Serenity jolted from her seat not from the bleeding hand's pain but from stress , feeling a mix of emotions, angry and surprised. While feeling awkward, she faced Ash to confirm, "You really want me to answer him?"
Ash was confused; he asked, "Is there a problem?"
"You don't know, so it's understandable," Serenity started explaining her objection. "Just for your information, if I disclose this information, that little kid will be strong beyond measure, even stronger than you when doing your best with your current strength. Do you still wish to carry on?"
Ash firmly replied,
"If I were a stone in his growth just because of fear he might get stronger, then how am I supposed to get stronger myself?"
Serenity stood firmly by her words, expressing her deep suspicion.
"I know you're right, but he is not on your side; for me, trusting him is absolutely impossible."
Ash looked at the worried serenity in front of him; his head raised more questions. 'I know my strength myself, and I am fully aware that not that many stand a chance. Her worry seems unreasonable to me, but somehow I find her words more authentic than any other. I wonder what the roots of her frustration are.'
Ash patted Serenity's head, trying to ease her worries. He gently spoke,
"You said 'current strength'; I dare say it's not a permanent weakness; I will just need to work a little harder on my growth."
"But—"
"No buts ...if all fails, I will come running to you. You have all the answers, don't you?"
Seeing no point talking any further, she cornered him with a choice to put both their minds at ease.
"Fine, but your training will be supervised by me going forward, if you're okay with that. I am talking with him; if not, then no deal, your choice?"
"Wait, can you even guide me?" He answered so fast he didn't realize what he was saying until he finished saying it.
"Sorry about that, but it's not unreasonable, I assure you."
"Don't worry about it, and I do understand...when it comes to your magic, nobody can understand it better than you do, but I am different."
"How?!!"
"Try it and you will know what I mean." She removed the gloves from her other hand and blankly looked at her black nails, saying, "I am just afraid you don't trust me enough to allow me to do so."
Ash understood what she meant and grabbed her hand, placing it directly over his third eye. "Do you still think I doubt you?"
"Are you an idiot? Do you understand what you are doing leaving your third eye so defenseless?"
"I know, but I already said I will never doubt you, and I am a man that stands by what he says."
"Idiot."
The third eye for a magic user is just like the source of his life; it's a direct road to his innate talent and possibilities. It's a formed inner world that no stranger can enter. 'Destroyed, then death awaits, yet he opens it for me just like that.'
Serenity quickly touched his third eye. Her black nails showed strange symbols; each represents a different shape of the moon surrounded by a magical circle.
The moment the magical circles lit in silver, her hand and arm were instantly covered in magical circles and rune language.
The aura around her hand formed threads of light that entered his third eye. After a while, the threads were completely swallowed by his inner world; only then did she remove her hand.
"The rest is all on you now," Serenity said while her gaze kept fixed on him, ready to interfere if something goes wrong. "I hope this risky move doesn't trigger something that it shouldn't."
Ash kept meditating inside his inner world.
The threads of light formed a swordplay he'd never seen before. 'Unbelievable footwork; the moves are smooth and sharp, full of strength. The slashes feel alive, as if a dragon were chewing its prey between its teeth. What's more, it matches my double sword style.'
Ash opened his eyes slowly, and Serenity asked him right away, "How do you feel?!"
"I dare to say it's a foolproof technique, but it gives a familiar feeling."
Serenity frowned, feeling uneasy. She quickly asked him, "Familiar?...How?!"
He stared at his hands in a daze. 'I believe if I ever saw such techniques, I would've never forgotten them, so it's probably my imagination.'
Ash looked at Serenity again, asking her, "I know it's a great complete work of art and all, but I feel it still lacks something like...uncompleted."
"Your instinct is terrifying as usual." Serenity leaned on her chair and waved her hand in the air, removing the illusion.
As she was putting her gloves back on, she started explaining.
"Dragon sacrifice is the name of this sword art; the rest I am afraid will have to wait till we are alone; we still have business to attend to."
Ash asked, "Meet at my place tonight then?!"
She gave him an okay with her hand, "Done."
Ash immediately switched to serious mode and turned his head, pointing at Daniel to come over.
Daniel excitedly ran towards them; he almost tripped. He asked Ash, full of expectation,
"So...did she agree?"
"She did. Can you sit down now?"
"On it."
Seeing how clumsy Daniel's moves are, he covered his mouth. His gaze turned at Serenity, feeling entertained. He reached out to her glasses, gently removing the hair from above. He lowered his tone talking with her.
"What do you have to break the pride of a king and force him to kneel?"
She seemed unbothered as she talked. "Didn't you experience it yourself?"
He crossed his arms in complete submission. "True, remind me to award you later."
"Thanks in advance then."
"If you still got more about the others, you're more than welcome; they've been bugging me a lot recently," Ash said.
Serenity raised her voice for Daniel to hear them. "You feel satisfied, don't you?"
"More than you can imagine."
"Ha~" Serenity tugged his shoulder, saying, "I can share the cake; just tell me whenever you need a piece. I am sure it's not the cake that interests you but rather the side dishes."
"I won't argue with that."
The smug smile on Ash's face and the whole atmosphere between him and Serenity made Daniel stunned; he had seen that man before.
'I'm sure he never smiled; I even asked my dad about that, and yet now he is totally different from before. How to explain this?'
Deep in his own thoughts, serenity brought him back to reality.
"Are you with us?"
"I am sorry I zoned out a little."
She first warned him, "Uh...then focus from now on. I won't repeat my words for a second time, got it?!"
"Of course, you can start now."
Serenity took a deep breath and properly adjusted her seat facing Daniel. She started her speech by asking,
"You want to know about the eternal flame, right?"