Chapter 27
"Give him a seat," the Ancestor ordered.
In a flash, two servants appeared, carrying a massive chair carved with intricate patterns. With haste and reverence, they placed it beside the elders' seats.
"Go, child," the Ancestor smiled at Dax.
Without hesitation, Dax walked forward and sat down casually, almost like a child settling into a familiar place.
The hall erupted with cheers.
"We greet the new Wyvern Squad Captain!"
Clansmen cupped their fists in salute.
Dax smiled faintly in response.
Then he turned toward the elders.
"Greetings, elders," he said evenly.
"I will be taking my seat here."
After speaking, he ignored them completely.
Now that he was this close, the Fifth Elder truly felt it.
That presence.
His eyes locked onto the killing demon standing behind Dax.
His mind spiraled into turmoil.
I wanted to believe the Seventh Elder's claims… but I sense no demonic aura from that entity.
If anything, its aura is pure—yet it carries the purity of death.
Unbeknownst to him, as he stared, his perception shifted.
He stood above a sea of blood.
Countless corpses floated lifelessly—creatures of every shape and form. Some were as large as mountains. Others were so vast that his mind refused to comprehend them.
Then—
Two glowing eyes pressed down on him.
His vision snapped back to reality.
He inhaled sharply, only now realizing he was still seated in a banquet hall.
"That… is death," he whispered inwardly.
Meanwhile, the Seventh Elder did his best to avoid looking in Dax's direction altogether.
The First Elder rose to his feet.
"A toast," he announced calmly.
"To the new Wyvren Squad Captain."
He raised his cup of wine.
"Cheers!"
The clansmen echoed with joy, and the banquet resumed in full.
A stunning brunette approached Dax, gently placing a tray of food before him.
"Congratulations, Master Dax."
Her gorgeous lips curved into a smile capable of captivating any man.
"My father asked me to present this meal to you."
Dax lifted the lid.
A burst of rich aroma flooded the air.
She continued, "This is goat pepper soup—made from a Rank Four volcanic goat, blended with special herbs imported from the royal capital."
Dax picked up the spoon.
Before the soup even reached his mouth, he felt the pores on his tongue react.
He took a bite.
Chew.
Dax froze.
The spoon slipped from his fingers as the flavor overwhelmed him. He chewed slowly, savoring every layer of taste.
So this is how it feels… to truly enjoy food.
Just as she began to worry, Dax took another spoonful.
Such a delicacy.
Heat spread across his tongue, but instead of discomfort, he felt delight.
He had often watched children his age jump around from spicy food, never understanding their reactions.
Now he did.
"Beautiful," Dax said sincerely.
"May I know your name?"
Her face flushed instantly.
"F-Freya," she replied.
"Beautiful name," Dax added without thinking.
"Just like the goddess in the myths."
She tried to suppress her smile but failed, quickly changing the subject.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"Yes," Dax said, pausing slightly.
"Very much."
He returned to savoring the food.
Freya departed with light steps.
I never noticed how handsome he was, she thought, the image of Dax enjoying the meal lingering in her mind.
"Master," Micah's voice echoed in Dax's head, panic evident.
"I'm going to retrieve my child."
Telepathy, Dax mused.
You have free will. Do as you wish.
All I ask for is data.
He replied calmly.
Before you leave, submit every book in your storage—down to folktales and lore—to my chambers.
Micah bowed slightly, then vanished into a blur.
⸻
Beneath the darkened sky, a lonely figure floated silently.
"Micah," Helga asked softly, "have you ever wondered what kind of man he truly is?"
"I don't know," Micah replied calmly.
"He's difficult to perceive… but I'm certain he's a man with a story—perhaps many."
"And if he's evil?" she asked, studying his devilishly handsome face.
"I don't care."
Helga's expression darkened.
"I served the Church of Light faithfully, devoted to Sterion," he said quietly.
"And how did it end?"
"Just one request, and It cost me my life and all my years of loyalty."
Helga buried her translucent face against his chest.
"Through all of that," he whispered,
"I learned something."
"Self-righteousness is a sin."
"I sacrificed everything, only to be abandoned."
"So I will be selfish," Micah concluded softly,
"And close my eyes to whatever acts Master Dax performs in the future."