Ch. 521: Chapter 521-530

Chapter 521 An Interesting Development

When Lux stood in front of the Skeleton Generator Bowl, the same voice that spoke to Eiko and Asmodeus talked to him as well.

< A minimum of two materials can be used for fusion. The maximum number of materials you can add to the Skeleton Generator is a hundred materials. Do you wish to create your Skeleton now? >

​ "Yes," Lux replied.

< Take note that there is a possibility of having an accident while fusing. Sometimes, the Skeleton Specie that you will generate from this accident is exceptionally weak or could be exceptionally strong. >

< You can now throw the materials inside the Skeleton Bowl to start the fusion! >

The first thing that Lux threw into the bowl was the Green Deimos-Ranked Beast Core, which belonged to an Alpha Green-Scaled Wyvern.

Lux wanted to create a flying Undead Mount for Revon, who was now the Commander of his Animated Undead Army, and whom he was planning to strengthen for his future battles.

Now that he was back in the Initiate Rank, his next breakthrough would allow him to become a Ranker. However, for that to happen, he would have to face a trial that would allow him to receive the blessing of the world.

Rankers were individuals who had distinguished themselves among mortals and had stepped onto the path of power that many coveted.

Although becoming a Ranker was difficult, it was not impossible. There are countless Rankers in the world of Solais and Elysium, and all of them had undertaken trials that were unique to them before they gained the strength they currently possessed.

As for Nero, Lux didn't know if the former had undergone a trial when he became a Ranker. Perhaps Abyssal Creatures didn't need to receive the blessings of the world when they reached a certain threshold.

From the start, those creatures neither belonged in Solais nor Elysium. According to the Elysium Compendium, these invaders came from the Abyss Realm, which was a separate dimension from the world that Lux was living in.

After tossing the green Beast Core in, Lux threw a Draconium Ore inside the bowl next, reaching the minimum requirement to create a Skeleton. However, he felt like what he put in might not be enough, so he added two more Draconium Ores just to be on the safe side.

—----------

< Do you wish to start the fusion? >

< Yes / No >

—----------

After Lux clicked yes, an eerie green light started to illuminate the center of the Skeleton Bowl.

Suddenly, red beams of light shot out from the center of the bowl, and its surface started to boil, creating big bubbles. The eerie green light disappeared and was replaced by a crimson color, making the Half-Elf frown.

< Warning! Fusion Accident has been detected! >

< Warning! Fusion Accident has been detected! >

< Warning! Fusion Accident has been detected! >

Suddenly, a blinding crimson light erupted from the Skeleton Bowl, forcing Lux to cover his eyes. It was simply too bright for his eyes.

Asmodeus on the other hand looked at the bowl with great anticipation. He didn't expect something like this to happen.

"Such an interesting development," Asmodeus muttered.

His gaze landed on the center of the bowl and found two ferocious crimson eyes staring back at him.

A powerful screech reverberated in the surroundings as the creature inside the bowl tried to force itself free from the confines of the Skeleton Bowl.

—-----

< Warning! This Monster is too strong for your current Rank! >

– The monster will be forcefully sealed and will be made available after you become a C-Ranker!

– You may unseal the Monster by activating the Skeleton Generator Skill, and choosing the option, Unseal Monsters.

< Thank you for using Skeleton Generator, your one-stop generator for anything Skeleton Related! >

< Skill will now go into a week-long cooldown. >

< Skill Cooldown Timer: 167.59.58 >

—-----

Lux blinked once, then twice, as he watched the Skeleton Bowl shrink in front of him until it disappeared completely.

When the bowl was no longer in sight, he glanced at Asmodeus, who was standing by his side, and asked him a question.

"What in the world happened?" Lux inquired.

The light was too intense earlier and didn't see anything, so he had no idea what happened.

"A very evil—no… not evil, but a very malicious monster was summoned," Asmodeus replied. "I'm afraid that if that Creature had been able to escape the containment mechanism of the Skeleton Bowl, it might have attempted to attack and kill you, Master."

"Really?" Lux knew that Asmodeus wouldn't lie to him, but he still had to ask for confirmation because he didn't think that something like this could happen when creating a Skeleton Monster.

Boomer and Ithaqua weren't aggressive monsters and simply stood obediently after they were summoned.

"I need to be a C-Ranker to Unseal that monster?" Lux shuddered after looking at the information on the Skeleton Generator Page inside of his Soul Book.

After clicking the Sealed Monster Page, he saw the creature that had tried to break free from his control earlier and eyed it critically.

It was frozen in a block of transparent ice, preventing it from escaping.

The sealed monster had four wings protruding from its back, and these wings wrapped around its body, preventing Lux from seeing what the creature looked like.

However, a glance was enough to tell Lux that his monster was around seven to ten meters tall, based on the size of its body in its curled-up state.

"Sorry, Revon," Lux said as he looked at his Animate Undead Commander. "Looks like you will have to wait for a week before I try to create a new subordinate for you."

The Fallen Wargod gave a faint smile before nodding his head.

"I'm not in a hurry, Master," Revon replied. "I don't mind waiting."

The Fallen Wargod's eyes glowed golden for a few seconds before returning to their silver color. For some reason, the Half-Elf could sense that Revon found the entire incident quite amusing despite not showing many facial expressions.

'He really looks like Silver Surfer,' Lux thought. 'The only difference is the blades floating behind his back like wings.'

Although the Half-Elf was a little bit shaken by what happened in his little experiment, he was still happy that Revon's revival was a complete success.

As for the Sealed Monster that almost attacked him, he would deal with it once he became a C-Ranker and was strong enough to face whatever kind of creature it was. When that time came, he'd definitely teach it a lesson for trying to defy him.

 

Chapter 522 He Might Even Arrange For You To Marry…

After finishing the things he needed to do, Lux went to look for his father, Alexander, to talk about something important.

Just like he assumed, Alexander was inside his office, dealing with some documents that needed his immediate attention.

Standing beside him was Alicia, who was always ready to assist. Although the Half-Elf didn't know if the beautiful secretary was able to gain some breakthroughs in her relationship with his stepfather, Alicia had gained his, Vera's, and Iris' approval long ago.

Alexander gave Lux a brief glance before shifting his attention back to the documents he was reading.

"Do you need something?" Alexander asked as he continued to do his work.

"Yes," Lux replied. "If possible, I was hoping that Father will forbid Iris from joining the future expedition for the Gate of Famine."

"Okay," Alexander answered in a heartbeat, making Lux think that he had misheard him.

Alicia, who saw the Half-Elf's dumbfounded expression, suppressed a giggle before giving Lux a serious gaze.

"The last Gate that will unseal the Fifth and Final Gate of the Sacred Dungeon will undoubtedly be very difficult," Alicia stated. "Because of this, the Headmaster never had the intention to let Iris join, knowing how dangerous the expedition would be. Even if you didn't come here to make a request, Iris would still not be allowed to join the expedition to conquer the Gate of Famine."

Lux breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that his father also knew how dangerous the last mission would be.

The silver-haired man, whom Lux believed to be a High-Ranking Noble from the Abyssal World, was making him feel restless. The Half-Elf didn't know if the Abyssal Noble would make an appearance again, so he deemed that the last gate should be off-limits to his fiance, whom he didn't want to get hurt.

"The rulers of the Six Kingdoms talked to me yesterday, and all of them wished to start the next expedition as soon as possible," Alexander commented as he took another document from the pile beside him.

"I told them that you will take a break from going to the Sacred Dungeon for a month or two due to a mission that I have personally given you. It seems that all of them are getting itchy to clear the last dungeon with your help."

Lux snorted because he had already expected this outcome. After what happened in the Gate of Conquest, he was certain that all of the previous representatives had received a fair share of nagging from their superiors because they didn't follow their orders to stick with Lux until the end.

The Half-Elf couldn't blame them though. Having 2,000 Stats points deducted from their current stats was something that most people didn't want to receive as a penalty.

However, there was another problem that concerned him, and he needed his father's influence in order to prevent any problems from escalating.

"Father, about the Vahan Empire," Lux said with a solemn look on his face. "I have a feeling that they will try to get rid of me after the Sacred Dungeon has been cleared."

Alexander paused what he was doing to look at the Half-Elf, who was looking back at him with a steady gaze.

"Emperor Andreas has always been an ambitious person," Alexander replied. "The Xynnar War Pact, as well as the Six Kingdoms, have prepared themselves for a full-scale war many years ago, but for some reason, the Skystead Alliance hasn't made any moves. According to the spies we have planted in the Vahan Empire, Emperor Andreas seemed to be looking for something... but to this day, they still have no idea what it is.

"However, one thing is certain. They are using all of their resources to ensure that the Sacred Dungeon will be conquered. I have a feeling that when the seal of the Fifth Gate is opened, Rankers will be allowed to enter the Domain of the Fallen."

Lux's eyes widened in shock after hearing his stepfather's words. The Domain of the Fallen was a trove filled with treasures that they still hadn't had the chance to explore.

The reason for this was simple. The Monsters that guarded these treasures were all Deimos and Argonaut Ranked Monsters.

A Deimos-Ranked monster could only be defeated by a team of Rankers. Even Lux didn't dare to fight Deimos-Ranked Monsters with the forces he currently had.

This was why, when they entered the Domain of the Fallen, he had chosen the route that would allow them to steer clear of these powerful monsters, who would only treat them as bite-sized snacks.

If Rankers were allowed to enter the Domain of the Fallen, then the treasures, Monsters, and other resources inside it would definitely be taken by the different Factions, who would treat the Domain as their exclusive farming area.

"Two months," Alexander stated. "A week after your birthday, you will head inside the Domain of the Fallen to clear the Gate of Famine. I will not allow you to venture in until then. Do I make myself clear?"

Lux blinked once then twice after hearing his father's words. So many things were happening around him that he had already forgotten about his birthday.

"Judging by the look on your face, it looks like you forgot about it," Alicia commented from the side and gave the Half-Elf a teasing smile. "That won't do. Iris has been pestering me to prepare a birthday party for you, so you'd better not kick the bucket until after that, okay?"

"Of course," Lux replied. "I'm still young. How can I possibly kick the bucket? I have many things that I need to do. There is also the issue with my Guild..."

Alexander and Alicia looked at the Half-Elf who was currently the Guildmaster of the only Mythical Guild in the world.

To this day, they still had no idea how Lux did it, but since he was part of the family, they would protect his secret to the grave.

"There is also one thing I need to ask you," Alexander said with a frown. "Is there something wrong with Mother? It has been a long time since the incident back in the Vahan Empire. She should be better by now, no?"

This time, it was Lux's turn to sigh.

He had also been feeling anxious as of late because his grandma was still inside Blackfire and was wrapped inside a silver cocoon.

Lux would always check her condition, but for some reason, Vera seemed to be in a state of hibernation. In truth, the Half-Elf was worried that the backlash she received when she saved him in the Vahan Empire was more serious than he thought.

Because of this, he didn't dare to forcefully awaken his Grandma because she might receive another backlash, and this time, it might end her life for good.

"Grandma is still inside Blackfire," Lux replied. "As to when she will wake up. I don't really know."

Alexander lightly tapped his table with a finger as if deep in thought.

Alicia, who was also on good terms with Vera, already considered the old lady to be her mother-in-law. Because of this, she was also worried about her condition. But, seeing Lux's helpless expression, she knew that there was nothing any of them could do aside from wait for Vera to awaken on her own.

Alexander once again took a document from the side of his table and returned to do his duties as the Headmaster of the Academy.

"You can leave now, Lux," Alexander stated. "Also, since you will be going to the Rowan Tribe with Cai and Iris, make sure to prepare a gift for Cai's family members. Maximilian likes Rare Ores, so if you have some in your possess..."

Alexander wasn't able to finish his words because he sensed a subtle fluctuation of magical energy in front of him.

When he raised his head, he saw the Half-Elf holding two Draconium Ores in each hand, which made him narrow his eyes.

"How many do you have?" Alexander asked.

"A lot," Lux replied.

"I need a hundred."

"Okay."

Alicia's body subconsciously shuddered after the exchange between the two because she was quite familiar with the Rare Metal in Lux's hands.

Draconium Ores could easily fetch millions in Auction Houses--that was how rare it was. In fact, it was so rare that it would only appear in auction houses once every six to ten years.

Since Lux could easily give his Stepfather a hundred of them without batting an eye, it meant that he had more in his possession.

"Give Maximilian a dozen, and I'm sure he'll be over the moon for it," Alicia said with a sweet smile on her face. "Who knows? He might even arrange for you to marry..."

Alicia didn't finish what she was going to say and simply smirked at the Half-Elf, who suddenly felt goosebumps all over his body.

Lux didn't know what Alicia was thinking, but he had a feeling that it was certainly not good!

 

Chapter 523 I Am No Cannon Fodder

A few days passed, and the time to leave Barbatos Academy to head to the Rowan Tribe had come.

In the distance, a giant flying Manta Ray, escorted by several smaller ones, steadily flew toward Barbatos Academy to pick up Cai, Lux, Iris, and Keane.

The one leading this escort mission was none other than Xander's father, Hector, who was a Ranker that belonged to the Rowan Tribe.

After everything that happened inside the Sacred Dungeon, they decided that it would be best to escort their High Priestess back to the Rowan Tribe, instead of letting her travel back without people protecting her.

The relationship of the Rowan Tribe with the Six Kingdoms was relatively smooth on the surface, but Cai's grandfather, Maximilian, didn't want to take any chances and sent Hector as insurance.

"It has been a while, Hector," Alexander said as soon as the Giant Manta Ray landed at the gates of the Academy. "From what I've heard, you've been quite busy as of late."

"Indeed," Hector replied with a smile. "But my workload is nothing compared to the Headmaster of Barbatos Academy. I'm sure that I'd probably quit after a week of being in your shoes."

A faint smile appeared on Alexander's face as he chatted with one of Maximilian's most trusted subordinates.

"Is there any news from the Six Kingdoms?" Alexander wondered.

Hector shook his head. "The only thing I'm sure of is that they are preparing to challenge the Gate of Famine. Of course, whether they can succeed or not is another matter."

"They are getting impatient."

"Well, I can't really blame them. Their representatives made a lot of bad decisions in the previous campaign."

Hector smirked before giving the Half-Elf a side-long glance.

Cai and Keane had already decided to stick with Lux through thick and thin, so he was sure that the two would not participate in the exploration of the Gate of Famine unless the Half-Elf was going too.

"Well then, I won't keep you here for long," Alexander stated as he handed a communication crystal to Hector. "Make sure to get in touch when they make any unforeseen moves."

Hector nodded and promised to keep Alexander updated if he discovered something amiss.

"Come sit here next to me, Iris," Cai said as she summoned a seating cushion for her best friend, who would be accompanying them back to her tribe.

"Okay," Iris replied and sat beside the Boar. "I hope that Grandpa Maximilian is doing well."

"Gramps is still hale and hearty," Cai commented. "He won't die even if he is killed."

Iris giggled because she found Cai's confidence in her grandpa quite amusing. However, she could understand what her best friend was talking about because she felt the same way toward her father, who was also a Saint.

Lux and Keane sat a few meters away from Cai and Iris, giving the two girls some space to chat with each other.

Joining them was none other than Xander, who had mostly recovered from the injuries he received from the Gate of Conquest.

"When are you planning to go back to the Domain of the Fallen?" Xander inquired as he sat beside Lux and Keane.

"A month or two from now," Lux replied. "Perhaps, I'll take it easy and stretch it into two months."

Xander nodded. "That might be for the best. Right now, you should strengthen yourself to the fullest. My father has also advised me to not participate in any expeditions for the time being."

Keane, who was listening to his two friends, calmly sipped some water from his jug before commenting.

"I feel sorry for Einar and Val," Keane commented. "Since they are the only ones left available that can enter the Domain of the Fallen, they will surely be pestered by the Six Kingdoms."

Lux and Xander exchanged a glance and gave each other knowing smiles. They were certain that Einar and Val would not be stupid enough to challenge the Fate of Famine on their own, especially after what they had experienced in the Gate of Conquest.

Hector glanced at the teenagers who were happily chatting with each other before signaling his mount to take flight.

"We'll take our leave, Alex," Hector said as he bid his farewell to the Saint, who was also their tribe's mightiest ally. "I'll keep an eye on your kids for you."

"Good." Alex nodded. "Lux is a troublemaker, so I apologize in advance if he causes trouble for your tribe during his stay."

Hector laughed after hearing Alex's words. If the Half-Elf really did cause trouble for their tribe, the one who would deal with the red-headed teenager was not him, but their Tribe Chief, Maximilian, himself.

"I will applaud him if he has the guts to do that," Hector commented after he finished his laughter. "Farewell, Alex."

"Farewell," Alexander replied. "See you at the conference."

Hector gave the Headmaster of the Academy a thumbs up before urging his Mount to return to their tribe.

The Giant Manta Ray then slowly rose to the air, and let out a soft hum before flying towards the West, where the Rowan Tribe was currently located.

Alexander and Alicia watched them go and only returned inside the academy when the Rowan Tribe's envoy was no longer in their sight.

—-----------

Wildgarde Stronghold…

"Are you sure about this, Nero?" Rainer asked his disciple with a solemn expression on his face.

"Yes, Master," Nero replied. "I will resign from my position as Guildmaster and leave the Wildgarde Stronghold."

"But why? Surely, you don't have to do this, right?"

"Master, I have already made my choice. Thank you for everything that you have done for me until now. If in the future, the Wildgarde Stronghold will face a danger that they can't handle on their own, I will be sure to lend a hand. Goodbye, Master."

Nero bowed his head respectfully towards Rainer before turning around to walk towards the portal that would send him to Elysium.

There was nothing waiting for him in Solais anymore, so the only place he could thrive was Elysium.

Also, he had received a letter from Aron, inviting him to the Vahan Empire.

Nero wasn't stupid, so he knew what the High Ranker was planning. There was only one reason why Emperor Andreas' right-hand man would extend an invitation to him, and the brown-haired teenager found this funny.

'You plan to use me as a tool to fight against Lux,' Nero mused as he stepped into the portal. 'Let's see who will be using who. I am no cannon fodder.'

The Prodigy of the Wildgarde Stronghold no longer had anything to lose.

He lost his home, his pride, and his Abyssal Power when the Half-Elf defeated him in their duel.

However, there was one thing that he didn't lose, and that was his resolve to stand at the peak and look down upon the world that had tried to take everything from him.

To his surprise, he felt as if a great burden had been lifted off his shoulders as soon as he appeared in Elysium.

Now that he had left all of his attachments behind, including his grudge against Lux, he felt as if the world had started to look a little more beautiful in his eyes.

 

Chapter 524 The Proper Way Of Sneaking Out

Karshvar Draconis…

"And then, that Half-Elf decided to burn the garbage dump, allowing the smoke to be carried by the wind towards the City of Pygmalion. No one in their right mind would do that, but he did! If not for the fact that His Majesty came to interfere, that Half-Elf might have died by now."

"What an interesting person! I'd like to meet him one day."

"Princess, it will be best if you don't. Didn't His Majesty tell you that if someone looked at your face long enough, you would get pregnant? That is why you must always wear that veil whenever you leave the Inner Palace."

I couldn't help but sigh as I stood up from the spring where I took my bath every day.

Ever since I was born, there had been a few instances where I was able to leave the Inner Palace in secret, and each time I did, I would always bring my handmaidens, Ali and Ari, with me as my guides and protectors.

As soon as I left the spring, my handmaidens immediately dried my body using bath towels that were very smooth and comfortable to the touch.

Sometimes, I wondered if I would be able to tell them apart if not for the color of their eyes. Ali and Ari were twins. Both of them were quite pretty with long blonde hair, and the only difference between them was the colors of their eyes.

Ali's eyes were blue, while Ari's eyes were green. Both of them were two years older than me and had been with me since I turned ten years old.

Because of this, I grew very fond of them. The only thing I disliked about them was their overprotectiveness.

'Do they really think I am a gullible child?' I thought as I walked past them to check myself in the full-body mirror that had been gifted to me by my father on my fourteenth birthday.

'How can someone get pregnant just by being stared at by people? Perhaps they think that Mother didn't tell me that girls get pregnant when someone holds their hands. Silly Ali and Ari, they must think that I'm ignorant!'

The corner of my lips rose as I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

I gazed at my long purple hair that was as smooth as silk, and eyes that were more beautiful than rubies. Two small golden dragon horns could be seen on top of my head, which identified me as a proud member of the Golden Dragon Tribe.

My skin, which was as white as cream, was unblemished by anything. I didn't know if this was a good or bad thing, but Ali and Ari always said that they were envious of my skin's complexion.

Well, the two of them would praise me for everything, and always tell me how beautiful I was and whatsoever. There was even a time when I just yawned, and the two of them said that it was the cutest thing they saw in their life!

At first, I was flattered by their praises, but as time went on, I wondered if what they were telling me was the truth, or if it was just a way to get on my good side.

"... Have they grown a little bigger again?" I muttered as I lightly cupped my breasts which had entered a growth spurt a few months ago.

I turned seventeen a few months ago and ever since then, my body started to show signs of maturing, which made me a little bit happy.

Ali said that at the rate my body was maturing, I would reach C-Cup soon. I don't really understand what C-Cup meant, but I decided to just nod my head as if I understood what she was talking about.

'Mother's were bigger than mine,' I thought as I looked in the mirror. 'Maybe I should ask her more about the changes happening to my body at a later date.'

After admiring myself in the mirror for a few minutes, I allowed Ali and Ari to dress me up as usual. When they finished, I wore the veil covering my face and activated the magic that was imbued in it.

A moment later, a plain-looking girl was reflected on the mirror's surface. Now that my disguise was ready, it was time for me to sneak out of the Inner Palace to explore our Domain.

'This time, I'll go to the Outer Reaches,' I thought with a smile. 'Um, I should inform my mother that I am going to sneak out of the Inner Palace. She always told me that the proper way of sneaking out was to always inform her where I was going. This way, I would be able to leave the palace without being discovered.'

I made a gesture for my handmaidens to follow behind me as I paid a visit to my mother. She had been quite busy as of late, taking care of my little brother that had just been born.

Father, on the other hand, was always busy with the affairs of our Kingdom. But, that was fine. If they were always around, I would not be able to sneak outside without being discovered!

"Let's go, Ali, Ari," I said with excitement. "We're going to the Outer Reaches this time."

"Eh? You're really going there, Your Highness?" Ali frowned. "Half-Elves are known for eating young Dragons, you know? What will you do if he eats you?"

"That's right, Your Highness," Ari commented. "Please reconsider!"

I gazed at my two handmaidens who were looking back at me with pleading gazes. For a brief moment, I hesitated when I heard that Half-Elves eat young Dragons. However, I was not someone that just anyone could bully!

"If he dares to bite me, I will bite him back!" I said with confidence. "Besides, the only thing that has meat on my body is my chest. If he tries to bite them, I will definitely make him sorry. Now, enough chit-chat. Let's go see Mother and inform her that I am on my way to the Outer Reaches."

Ali and Ari exchanged a glance before nodding their heads at the same time.

""If that is your wish, Your Highness, then it shall be done.""

"Good. Let's go to the Outer Reaches!"

—--------

"Dear, Valerie has just left," a beautiful lady with long purple hair said to the round mirror in her hand. "She's headed to the Outer Reaches."

"Understood," the Dragon King replied. "I'll take care of it."

A minute later, hundreds of Rankers, accompanied by a handful of High-Rankers, departed from the capital city of Karhsvar Draconis.

Their mission was to ensure that the Dragon Princess, who had successfully "snuck out" of the Inner Palace, would not encounter any danger along the way.

This was already part of their regular routine—hiding their presence from the beautiful, yet gullible, princess who thought that informing her mother was the right thing to do whenever she planned to sneak out of the Inner Palace to play outside.

Valerie was the beloved daughter of their King. If someone was stupid enough to lay their hands on her, the Rankers, who were hiding their presence, would definitely make that person regret that they were even born into this world.

 

Chapter 525 If You Refuse, He Will Castrate You

Rowan Tribe…

"I'm back, Gramps!" Cai shouted as soon as the Giant Manta Ray landed on an open field, which was surrounded by tents of all sizes.

The Rowan Tribe was a Nomadic Tribe, and they would move from place to place depending on the seasons, or if their Chief decided that it was time to go.

After hearing Cai's shout, her tribesmen gave her a warm welcome, which made the shameless boar very giddy.

"Iris, let's go to my room," Cai said. "I'll show you the treasures I collected in the Outer Reaches! Fei Fei helped me find them all."

"Da Wei!" Fei Fei smiled from the top of Cai's head, which made Iris giggle.

"Sounds good. Eiko, are you coming with me?" Iris asked as she patted the Baby Slime on her shoulder.

Eiko nodded because she also wanted to stay with Iris for the time being.

The Boar led Iris to the biggest tent, while Hector led Lux and Keane to one of the tents beside their Tribe Chief's Main Residence.

"Stay here for the time being," Hector said. "I will send someone to call for you once the preparation in the main residence is finished."

Lux and Keane nodded their heads and went inside the tent as instructed. The first person they saw when they entered the tent was a handsome young man, who was sharpening a short sword with a whetstone.

He had short green hair and eyes as blue as the sky. The Half-Elf gave Lux and Keane a brief nod of recognition before shifting his attention back to the short sword in his hands.

'Gerhart Cenele,' Lux thought. 'I forgot that he was staying here in the Rowan Tribe.'

They had seen this person in the tournament, and the latter had left a lasting impression on everyone who had witnessed his battle with the Sixth Elven Prince of the Elswyth Kingdom, Enlil Neifion.

Keane also knew of Gerhart because he had seen him when Cai brought him to the Rowan Tribe to stay for a time.

Although he didn't talk much with Gerhart, he was certain that the green-haired Half-Elf was someone that he could get along with just fine.

"Cai has returned?" Gerhart asked as he continued to sharpen his blade.

"Yes," Lux answered. "We just arrived a few minutes ago."

Gerhart then raised the short sword in his hand and gave it a critical gaze. Seeing that everything looked fine, he used a cloth to wipe its surface before sheathing it in its scabbard.

He then shifted his gaze to Lux and Keane, who were already sitting cross-legged in front of him.

"I've heard that you've gained some popularity as of late… My Daddy," Gerhart said in a teasing tone. "Xander often tells me the things that are happening in Solais and Elysium. More often than not, your name will pop up whenever we have a discussion. It seems that you've ruffled the feathers of both Solaians and Elysians alike."

The green-haired Half-Elf gazed at the red-headed teenager, who looked back at him with a troubled expression on his face.

"Just call me Lux, and I'll call you Gerhart," Lux replied. "As for gaining some popularity, this is something that is outside of my control. I'm just being carried away by the flow."

Gerhart chuckled. "Indeed. You are still too weak to fight the flow. Right now, you have no choice but to keep your head low, or else it will get hammered down by those who wish you ill."

There was a tinge of bitterness in Gerhart's words, and Lux had a feeling that the other party was talking from his own experience.

Just like him, Gerhart was a Half-Elf, but compared to the life Lux had lived, the outcast of the Elven Kingdom of Elswyth had suffered terribly at the hands of the Elves who looked down on Half-Elves and treated them like a stain to their noble lineage.

"I heard that you have founded a guild of your own," Gerhart said as if to change the topic of their discussion. "Also, for some reason, Cai decided to join it. Grandpa Maximilian was very furious when he heard that Cai left Xander's Guild without giving a proper reason.

"You'd better be careful when you meet him later. A few days ago, while we were having dinner, he mentioned in passing that he would make you take responsibility for what Cai did. He added that if you refuse, he will castrate you. Good luck, bro. Grandpa's fuse has been a bit short as of late."

Lux immediately felt constipated after hearing Gerhart's warning. After Cai had saved him, he was thinking of ways he could repay the Boar for what she did for him. In fact, he was prepared to give Cai the Legendary Artifact that Great General Sherlock had given him after he defeated Nero.

The Half-Elf knew that the shameless boar liked treasures. He was hoping that a Legendary Item was enough to repay the favor that Cai had done for him. If it still wasn't enough, he was willing to look for other treasures in order to compensate her.

This was what he had decided back in the Gate of Conquest. However, Gerhart's words made him feel like a Legendary Item would not be enough to satisfy Cai's Grandpa, Maximilian.

'Fortunately, I have some Draconium Ore with me,' Lux thought. 'Since Sir Maximilian is a Blacksmith and a Jewelsmith, I'm sure that he will be very happy to have some rare ore to play with.'

Gerhart didn't know what Lux was thinking, but after seeing how pale his face suddenly became, the green-haired Half-Elf felt as if he should stop teasing him for the time being.

"Tell me more about your Guild," Gerhart said. "What kind of Guild is it? Is it Bronze or Silver?"

"Neither," Lux replied.

Lux, who was still in a daze, casually answered Gerhart's inquiry. Fortunately, his subconscious mind kicked in at the last moment, and it helped him give a neutral answer.

However, his answer made Gerhart raise an eyebrow because if it wasn't Bronze of Silver, it could only mean one thing.

"You have a Gold-Ranked Guild?" Gerhart looked at Lux in disbelief. "No wonder Cai didn't want to leave. Xander's Guild is only of the Silver Rank. Still… You just founded a guild, and it's already Gold-Ranked? Just how did you do it?"

"Oh… I just got lucky." Lux chuckled nervously as he tried to downplay his casual answer.

Seeing that he had no intention of spilling the beans, Gerhart just nodded his head in understanding.

Everyone had their secrets, including him, so he didn't want to pry for answers. Lux was Cai's friend, and he didn't want to make things difficult for him.

It was at this moment when the flap of the tent opened, and Xander came in.

"The preparations are ready in the Tribe Chief's Tent," Xander announced. "I came to bring the three of you with me as per our Tribe Chieftain's orders. Are the three of you ready to go?"

Lux, Keane, and Gerhart exchanged glances at each other before nodding their heads.

The red-headed teenager had wanted to see Cai's Grandpa, Maximilian, because there were some questions that he needed to ask in regard to crafting Draconium Ore.

​ His master, Randolph, said that Draconium Ores wouldn't melt unless a special kind of fire was used.

Since Maximilian was a Saint, as well as a Blacksmith and a Jewelsmith, the Half-Elf was hoping that the Tribe Chieftain of the Rowan Tribe would be able to give him the answers that he was looking for.

 

Chapter 526 Should I Prepare A Grave That Is Six-Feet Deep For You?

Rows upon rows of delicious food were laid on top of the table, which made Lux subconsciously gulp.

Cai's Grandpa had prepared a feast for them, and even Keane, who didn't usually show much reaction to food, had an eager look in his eyes.

"We are all gathered here today to celebrate Lux's, Cai's, Xander's, and Keane's amazing performance inside the Gate of Conquest," Maximilian said as he raised a wine goblet. "Cheers to the brave new heroes of the world!"

"""Cheers!"""

After everyone drank from their winecups, the feast was officially in full swing.

"Eat a lot, Fei Fei," Cai said as she filled up the baby Golden Slime's plate with pork chops.

"Un!" Fei Fei happily nodded her head as she started to chew on one of the pork chops that were piled up on her plate.

Iris, who was seated beside Cai, also started to hand-feed Eiko with grapes, which the baby slime liked very much.

Lux smiled as he looked at his beautiful fiancee, who acted very differently when surrounded by many people

When it was just the two of them, Iris would act in a very casual manner, unlike now. Her current state was in full "etiquette mode", which she had learned from an early age.

Even the way she fed grapes to Eiko looked so graceful and elegant that Lux was very tempted to tease her. However, he didn't do that.

Lux knew that Iris needed to maintain her image as the daughter of a Saint when she was with other people. Having known this, he wouldn't do anything to distract her and simply enjoyed the food that was in front of him.

He wasn't aware that Maximilian was paying close attention to him as he tried the many delicious dishes that were exclusive to the Rowan Tribe.

Two hours later, a very satisfied Lux patted his belly.

Although he had eaten many delicious foods at Barbatos Academy, all of them were too classy for his taste. The cooking of the Rowan Tribe had a more "homey" feel to it, which he enjoyed very much.

When all the dishes had been cleared up, and refreshments were served, the members of the Rowan Tribe left one by one as if this was a pre-arranged setup.

It didn't take long before the only people remaining inside the dining area were Lux, Iris, Cai, Keane, Gerhart, and Maximilian.

The Chief of the Rowan Tribe calmly sipped tea as he looked at the teenagers who would usher a new era to the world. After emptying his cup, he placed it on top of his table and shifted his gaze to the Boar, whose belly was bulging because she had eaten too much.

Maximilian heaved a helpless sigh before shifting his gaze toward the red-haired Half-Elf, who had a satisfied look on his face. Since everyone seemed to be in a relaxed state, Maximilian decided to break the ice in order to ask some questions.

"Everyone here is not a stranger and is already aware of Cai's true form," Maximilian said with a smile. "Before anything else, I would like to thank everyone for taking good care of her, as well as apologize for the hardships that all of you have suffered whenever she accompanies you for a time."

The Saint gave everyone a brief bow before getting into the crux of what he wanted to say.

"Lux, my granddaughter joined your Guild without stating a proper reason for her departure," Maximilian said. "Since I know that she will not return obediently, can you kick her out of your guild?"

Cai, who was feeling a little drowsy due to how full she was, immediately perked up after hearing her Grandpa's words.

"Grandpa, you can't!" Cai shouted as she walked towards her Grandpa and sat beside him. "I can't leave Lux's Guild right now. It is very important that I stay!"

"Silly girl, you're just making things difficult for everyone," Maximilian replied sternly. "Do you know how everyone in the tribe reacted when you quit Xander's Guild? They thought that someone in the guild offended you."

"Eh? Such a thing happened?" Cai asked back. "Gramps, I'll explain it to everyone later. But, I can't really leave Lux's guild right now. My future depends on it!"

Maximilian arched an eyebrow as he looked at his granddaughter before shifting his gaze to the Half-Elf, who was slowly, but surely, trying to stealthily sneak out of the Dining Area.

"Lux, where are you going?" Maximilian asked in a calm manner.

"A-Actually, I think that I ate too much, Sir Maximilian," Lux replied with a cramped smile on his face. "N-Nature is calling me."

"Well, since Nature is calling you… should I prepare a grave that is six feet deep for you?" Maximilian asked with an amused tone. "I'll be more than happy to send you back to Mother Nature's embrace."

Lux subconsciously shuddered because, although Maximilian's words were said in a calm manner, he felt as if he already had one foot in the grave.

"O-On second thought, I think I'm good," Lux stated as he returned to where he had been sitting a moment ago.

A faint smile appeared on Maximilian's face as he gazed at the Half-Elf, whose smile was twitching every now and then.

"Now, tell me, Lux," Maximilian commented. "What did you feed my granddaughter for her to be so adamant about staying in your guild? If you don't give me a proper explanation, I will be forced to take drastic measures."

Lux was unable to meet Maximilian's stare, so he looked at Cai, who was looking back at him with a hopeful gaze.

The Half-Elf sighed internally because he couldn't possibly kick Cai out of the guild, especially after what she had done for him.

Because of this, he decided to take a stand in order to repay the Boar who had sacrificed her life to save him.

Iris, who understood what Lux was going to do, lowered her head so that her beloved wouldn't be able to see the smirk on her face.

She had known Cai's Grandpa for a few years, and she understood that Maximilian had no bad intentions. The blue-haired beauty was sure that Maximilian was merely curious why his shameless Granddaughter was dead-set on staying in Lux's Guild when he could provide her with anything that she wanted.

Which only led to one answer.

Lux's Guild had something that couldn't be found in Xander's Silver-Ranked Guild.

Maximilian continued to stare at the red-headed teenager for a few minutes without saying a word. He had already assumed that Lux was hiding a secret that he couldn't reveal so easily.

However, for the sake of his granddaughter, he had to know, and this was one of the reasons he invited the Half-Elf to the Rowan Tribe.

A few minutes later, a sigh escaped Lux's lips as he summoned his Soul Book.

He then opened it and went to the page where his Guild Information could be found.

After giving it a long hard look, another sigh escaped his lips before making his Soul Book float towards Maximilian.

Soul Books were private things, and only people who were given permission by their owner could see what was written inside of them.

Maximilian grabbed Lux's Soul Book and held it firmly in his hands. He then read the information that was written in it, so he could better understand what was making Cai unwilling to leave.

Half a minute later, after he had finished reading Lux's Soul Book, the Saint's body stiffened.

He read it a second time to ensure that he didn't misread the words written on it. However, after double-checking, he confirmed that he hadn't made any mistakes.

"Unbelievable…," Maximilian muttered as he raised his head to look at the Half-Elf, who was looking back at him with a steady gaze.

It was at that moment when the Saint finally understood why Cai didn't want to leave Lux's Guild despite the fact that he could provide her with anything that she wanted.

"Lux, we need to talk tonight in private," Maximilian stated. "I have some important things to tell you, so I hope that you will free up your schedule this evening."

Lux nodded his head. "Of course, Your Excellency."

Before leaving Barbatos Academy, Alexander had talked to Lux in private about the possibility of sharing the secret of his Guild with Maximilian.

The Chief of the Rowan Tribe was Alexander's most steadfast ally, so he hoped that Lux would inform the former about the secret of his Guild so that the short-tempered Saint of the Rowan Tribe would become one of Lux's strongest supporters as well.

Maximilian smiled as he looked at the Half-Elf who became more pleasing in his eyes.

Since the red-headed teenager was the Guildmaster of the only Mythical Guild in the world, it was only right to make him a permanent ally of the Rowan Tribe.

'I guess I need to talk to Cai before I talk to Lux in private tonight,' Maximilian thought as he rubbed his chin. 'After all, her future happiness is currently at stake here.'

 

Chapter 527 What Do You Think Of My Granddaughter? [Part 1]

"Grandpa, you called for me?" Cai asked as soon as she stepped foot into her Grandpa's workshop.

"Yes," Maximilian replied. "Sit down for a bit, Cai. There are a few things I'd like to ask you."

Cai obeyed and sat in front of her Grandpa.

Maximilian eyed his granddaughter who had taken her Human form.

Cai's long, light-brown hair was adorned by simple accessories, and even though she wasn't wearing any makeup, her beauty was enough to rival Iris', who was considered the most beautiful young lady in Barbatos Academy.

Her hazel eyes held a tinge of mischief in them, but this side of herself would only be shown to her family members.

In truth, Cai was a very shy person. Aside from her family, she would only show her true form during special occasions in the Rowan Tribe, especially when they needed to make an offering to the Gods.

As a High Priestess, this was her duty. If she wasn't around, then her little sister, who was younger than her by two years, would temporarily take her place and perform Cai's duties. This was the case whenever the shameless Boar was exploring the world.

Cai might be able to stay in her Boar Form for long periods of time, but she still needed to return to her Human form every now and then to allow her transformation ability to reset.

If she continuously kept her Boar form for an entire week, there was a chance that her transformation would be undone when she least expected it.

This was why whenever she was alone, or in a place that she deemed safe enough, she would return to her Human form in order to ensure that her transformation wouldn't be undone by accident.

The Saint of the Rowan Tribe stood up and pressed his finger over Cai's head to check her current condition. He didn't have a chance to do this earlier because they were busy preparing to receive their guests, and Cai was keeping Iris company.

A minute later, Maximilian pulled his finger back and sighed.

"The injuries you received this time are quite serious. It has also diminished a lot of your True Essence," Maximilian stated. "At most, you will need three months to fully recuperate. But during this time, you can only stay in your Boar Form for three days straight before reverting to your Human form."

Cai nodded. "I know, Grandpa. Don't worry. I promise that I will be careful."

Maximilian nodded because he knew that Cai wouldn't allow anyone to discover her true form by accident, aware that it would only endanger her.

Her transformation was a way to hide her Special Body Constitution from the world. Those who sought to gain power using any means necessary would jump at the opportunity to kidnap her from the Rowan Tribe and use her to achieve their goals.

This was something that Maximilian wouldn't allow to happen, so he gave Cai several Life Saving artifacts that would protect her in case her secret was exposed.

"Cai, what do you think of Lux?" Maximilian asked.

"Lux?" Cai pondered for a bit before giving her answer. "A dependable friend, and a trustworthy person."

"Oh? You think of him as a trustworthy person?"

"Grandpa, I may not be the best when it comes to judging a person's character, but I believe Iris would not choose to love someone if they are a malicious person."

Maximilian rubbed his chin before nodding his head.

"Then, let me ask you a hypothetical question," Maximilian said before returning to his seat. "Do you find Lux acceptable as a potential fiance candidate?"

Cai frowned after hearing her Grandpa's words.

"I think Lux is a good person," Cai answered after half a minute had passed. "But, I don't think that it will work out, Gramps."

"And why?" Maximilian asked with an amused expression on his face.

"...Lux has this mysterious destiny," Cai replied.

"As a High Priestess, I can somewhat see that he is walking on an unpaved path filled with thorns. Gramps, you already know that my Body Constitution is enough to bring calamity upon the Rowan Tribe. If Lux becomes my fiance, his already difficult path would just become more difficult. I don't want to burden people with my curse."

Maximilian shook his head before looking at his granddaughter with an affectionate gaze.

"It is not a curse, Cai," Maximilian stated. "It simply means that the heavens have given you a heavy responsibility. Since you cannot carry its weight alone, you will need someone who will support you along the way. Besides…"

The corner of Maximilian's lips rose as he gave his granddaughter a mischievous smile.

"Lux has already seen you naked twice," Maximilian said. "Didn't you tell me in the past that the first person who saw you naked, aside from our family, would become your future husband?"

"Gramps, I was eleven back then," Cai replied blushing. "That is just the ramblings of a naive child. You shouldn't take it to heart."

Maximilian chuckled after seeing how defensive his granddaughter had become.

"So you don't really like Lux?"

"I like him as a friend. I can even think of him as a very close friend, but I have already decided that I will not marry in this lifetime. I don't want to give my husband unnecessary worries."

Maximilian knew that his granddaughter was serious when she said that she didn't plan to marry, but how could he possibly accept that decision? Cai was the treasure of their Family, and they wanted her to be happy.

For that to happen, he needed a man, a strong man that would be able to protect and support her, keeping her safe from those who coveted her body. Because of this, Maximilian decided to give Cai one last push.

"Do you like Iris?" Maximilian asked.

"Of course, I like her," Cai replied in a heartbeat. "If I was a man, I would definitely marry her."

"If you become Lux's fiance, you will be able to stay with her forever," Maximilian said. "Also, you can help Lux…"

Cai's face blushed after she finished hearing her Grandpa's full explanation.

For a brief moment, she felt a strong temptation to agree to become Lux's fiance. The more she thought about it, the more she was tempted by the idea of being with Iris. However, in the end, her wish to protect Lux from her curse made her return to reality, forcing her to set aside this happy illusion.

"Gramps, I can't." Cai sighed. "I want to, but I can't."

Seeing Cai's troubled face, Maximilian also sighed before nodding his head in understanding.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to force you to do anything," Maximilian stated. "Just think about it for now, okay? Also, if you see any potential fiance candidate in the future, don't hesitate to tell me about it."

"Gramps… I don't plan on marrying."

"You're still young. Perhaps you will change your mind in a year or two. Don't worry. Whatever decision you make, the Rowan Tribe will always be behind your back."

Cai looked at her grandfather, who was also looking at her with a knowing smile. The two stared at each other for half a minute before chuckling at the same time.

"I'll go back to my room now," Cai said as she stood up. "Iris and I will sleep together tonight. Fei Fei and Eiko will be with us as well."

"Okay." Maximilian nodded. "Goodnight, Caitlin."

"Goodnight, Grandpa," Cai replied before giving her Grandpa a respectful bow.

A moment later, the beautiful young lady left the room, leaving Maximilian behind.

When he was sure that Cai was already a safe distance away, Maximilian waved his hand, and the ornate closet that was located at the corner of his room opened wide.

Inside it, Lux stood with his arms crossed over his chest, and a complicated expression could be seen on his face.

"Take a seat, Lux." Maximilian gestured with a smile. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long."

Lux nodded and walked out of the closet to sit opposite the Saint of the Rowan Tribe.

Maximilian thought that it would be a good idea to hide Lux inside his closet while he talked to his granddaughter. He believed that this would allow the Half-Elf to know what Cai honestly thought about him, without being influenced by other people.

"Now, tell me, Lux," Maximilian said as he gazed at the red-headed teenager in front of him. "What do you think of my Granddaughter?"

 

Chapter 528 What Do You Think Of My Granddaughter? [Part 2]

"Now, tell me, Lux. What do you think of my Granddaughter?"

Maximilian's question made Lux frown. He didn't know why the Saint had prepared such an elaborate setup in order for him to hear Cai's thoughts about him.

Also, Cai had appeared in her Human form. Although she didn't go out of her way to make herself look beautiful, her beauty was something that Lux had known about long ago.

"Cai is one of my closest friends," Lux replied. This was what he truly felt about Cai, and he was very grateful to have her as a friend.

Maximilian nodded after hearing the Half-Elf's reply. He had already deemed Lux to be a worthy fiance candidate for his granddaughter, not because he was Alexander's Stepson, or because he was the Guildmaster of the only Mythical Guild in the world.

The Saint of the Rowan Tribe had a very good impression of Lux because of his personality and strength. He had proven time and time again that he was capable of going above, and beyond everyone's expectations.

When he won the Lionheart Tournament, Maximilian thought of him as an interesting person. Also, since he knew that the Half-Elf had discovered Cai's true form, the Chief of the Rowan Tribe had paid close attention to any news about him.

When he managed to clear The Gate of Death inside the Sacred Dungeon and helped Cai bring back the White Lotus that allowed him to create the cure for the Purple Plague, he felt truly grateful in his heart.

The Purple Plague had affected his wife, Isabella, whom he had frozen in a block of ice in order to prevent the plague from spreading inside her body.

Currently, she was not in a stable condition, but he still kept her away from everyone in order to confirm that there were no side-effects of the medicine he made.

Only when its potency was confirmed would he distribute the antidote to the Six Kingdoms, allowing them to cure those that had been affected by the plague that ravaged the borders of their Kingdom.

"Lux, not only have you seen Cai's naked body twice, but she also saved your life," Maximilian stated. "Do you not plan to take responsibility for this?"

The Half-Elf had already expected that Maximilian would ask this question to him, so he had prepared an answer beforehand.

"I owe Cai my life. Because of her, I was able to clear the Gate of Conquest," Lux replied. "If there comes a time when her life is in danger, I will not hesitate to go to her aid, and help her to the best of my abilities. This help also extends to the Rowan Tribe. If Sir Maximilian finds something very difficult for him to handle, and needs my assistance, you can call for me for help."

Maximilian chuckled after hearing Lux's answer. This was a very safe answer, and it would not break his ties with the Rowan Tribe in the future.

However, there was one thing he found pretty amusing and that was the part where his Tribe would need his assistance, when he, a Saint, was already there to safeguard his tribe's interest.

"Tell me, my boy, is there something that a Saint like me cannot handle?" Maximilian asked in a teasing tone. "Do you really think that I will need help from someone who still isn't a Ranker?"

Maximilian wasn't scared of anyone, and there were only a handful of individuals that could contend with his strength. For him, anything could be solved by using his fists. Because of this, the Rowan Tribe was able to move anywhere unhindered.

He was expecting Lux to answer his question with a No, but to his surprise, the Half-Elf gave him the answer which made the smile on his face disappear.

"Even a Saint cannot solve everything with his strength alone," Lux replied. "Your Excellency, you are undoubtedly very strong. One of the few that can make the Six Kingdoms tread carefully when it comes to dealing with you and your tribe.

"However, I have seen something in Elysium that not even a Saint, like you, will be able to handle on your own. If there comes a time when the Cai, and the Rowan Tribe face such a threat, no matter how insignificant my Rank and strength is, I will not back down and offer my help."

Lux then pressed his closed fist over his chest as he looked at the Saint of the Rowan Tribe, whom the rulers of the Six Kingdoms feared very much.

"This is the promise I make to you," Lux declared. "This is how I will take responsibility for what Cai did for me."

"Hoh… your eyes are telling me that you're not lying," Maximilian said after giving Lux a critical gaze. "Have you met a Supreme in Elysium?"

If there was someone who could make Saints feel fearful, it was none other than Supremes.

There was a saying that Saints could silence empires with a wave of their hand, and a Supreme could silence entire continents with a word.

Lux shook his head. Although the Creature of Ruin was very strong, it was not a Supreme.

At least, the one he saw wasn't. He didn't know if it could reach the Supreme Rank once all of its heads were awake.

The Half-Elf shuddered at the thought of such a Beast being controlled by an organization that didn't bat an eye in exterminating an entire Barony, just because of a woman's hatred.

If the creature of Ruin were to appear before the Rowan Tribe, he was certain that even if Maximilian fought to the death, the demise of their entire Tribe would have already been set in stone.

"I saw a Peak-Calamity Monster," Lux replied. "A creature so strong that a dozen Saints can only hope to seal it in place."

Maximilian arched an eyebrow as he listened to Lux's words. Although he found the Half-Elf's story unbelievable, he was inclined to believe it because he could tell that Lux was telling him the truth.

"Very well." Maximilian smirked. "Although I hope that such a day doesn't come, no one can tell what tomorrow will bring. Remember your promise boy, and remember it well. I will hold onto your words for now."

"Thank you, Your Excellency," Lux felt relief inside his heart because he could tell that he had managed to convince Maximilian to no longer force the issue of him taking responsibility for Cai.

However, before the Half-Elf could even thank his lucky stars, Maximilian threw him a curve ball, which almost made him choke on his saliva.

"So, on a scale of 1 to 10, with ten being the highest, how would you rate my granddaughter's naked body?" Maximilian said with a devilish smile on his face. "I'm sure you had a nice long look back then. Come on, don't be shy, and speak your mind."

Maximilian had subtly used an Intimidation Ability on the Half-Elf so he would tell him the truth.

This ability also made Lux remember when he saw Cai's naked body back in Barbatos Academy, where he was able to see everything clearly.

"9 out of 10," Lux replied before he could even stop himself from replying. "The same as Iris."

"One mark off, eh?" Maximilian laughed after seeing the Half-Elf expression immediately become pale after answering his question. "She has the same rating as your fiance though? I guess she's your type as well."

The Saint laughed again as Lux's face became beet red after being teased by him.

For Maximilian, Lux was the ideal candidate for his granddaughter, but since the two of them just thought of each other as friends, he decided to wait for now.

'Starting as friends is also good,' Maximilian thought. 'It is better than falling in love instantly, and falling out of love the next day.'

He experienced something similar when he was young, so he understood that true love wasn't something that could be rushed.

The Saint just hoped that if Cai would choose someone to help share the burden she was carrying, it would be none other than the Half-Elf, whose face was currently beet red, due to the small prank that he had pulled on him.

He would rather have someone who truly cared for her granddaughter, than a womanizer whose only goal was to get under a lady's skirt.

Cai was his beloved granddaughter, and anyone who dared to treat her as a tool in order to gain unimaginable power, would be crushed under his merciless hooves.

 

Chapter 529 The Second Priestess Of The Rowan Tribe [Part 1]

On the next day, Lux was woken up by a loud squeal from a pig that sounded like it was about to be slaughtered.

Originally, he planned to ignore it, but for some reason, the squeal sounded very familiar to him.

"It's not possible, right?" Lux muttered as he got up from bed and did a bit of stretching. However, the squeal only became louder as the minutes passed by, making him frown.

Out of curiosity, Lux got out of his tent and went to where the squealing was coming from.

It was then he saw an unexpected scene that made him wonder if he was still dreaming.

Cai, the shameless boar, was tied up and hung upside down over an open fire. Standing in front of the bonfire was a young lady, with hair that only extended down to her shoulders.

Just like Cai's human form, the young lady had sun-kissed skin and was quite a beauty as well. Lux believed that given two to three more years, the young lady would blossom into a charming lady that would make the heads of any man turn to look at her.

Currently, this young lady, who seemed to be at least two years younger than Cai, had her arms crossed over her chest, as she looked at the squealing pig with a determined look on her face.

"Xander, add more Rosewood to the fire," the young lady ordered.

"P-Priestess, I think you should calm down a bit and talk with Cai in a calm and civilized manner," Xander replied anxiously.

"Are you going to do it, or should I also have you tied up, so you can be roasted alongside her?" The young lady asked with a glare.

"How many should I add?" Xander's attitude had a complete reversal after receiving the young lady's glare, which made his heart tremble.

The young lady sneered after seeing Xander's change of heart. "A dozen will do. Make sure to pick the ones that burn well!"

Cai, who was still tied up on a stick, squealed louder as she hurled insults at Xander who betrayed her.

"Xander, you traitor!" Cai roared. "I hope you grow bald in a year! I will pray and ask the Gods to make you impotent!"

Xander, who had just been cursed by Cai, looked at the young lady with a smile.

"Priestess, a dozen won't do," Xander stated. "How about we make it two dozen?"

"Good!" the young lady replied. "I want to see her burn!"

The Half-Elf watched as Xander threw several logs of wood on the fire, making it larger. Lux couldn't believe that Cai's retainer, who would give his life to protect her, didn't dare to provoke the young lady, whose hands were now resting on her hips.

'Just what the hell is going on?' Lux thought as he scanned the surroundings.

The members of the Tribe were looking at the spectacle sneakily through the partitions of their tents. Those who were outside were pretending that they weren't seeing anything as they went about their business.

It was at that moment when Lux spotted a middle-aged man peeking through the tent of the main residence. Recognizing the other party, the Half-Elf looked at him in a dumbfounded manner.

As if sensing Lux's gaze, Maximilian hurriedly let go of the tent flap as if nothing was happening.

'Even Sir Maximilian didn't want to offend this young lady?' Lux thought. 'Just who is this girl?'

Keane, who stood not far away, looked at the young lady as if she was an angel. He had never seen anyone bully Cai so much that it made him wonder if he was still dreaming.

Just like Lux, he hurried over after hearing Cai's squealing. But, after seeing this scene and the reaction of the Rowan Tribe, he also assumed that the young lady, who was wearing a priestess robe, wasn't someone simple.

Cai, whose entire body was now being licked by the orange flames, squealed louder and started to cry crocodile tears.

"Don't do this to me, Rose!" Cai pleaded. "How can you do this to your big sister? Where did my cute little sister go?!"

"Shut up!" Rose replied. "While you were out playing, I was the one doing all of your responsibilities. You even missed our yearly migration ceremony. Grandpa has spoiled you so much. It's time for you to know your place!"

Without another word, Rose took out a whip and was about to whip the tied-up boar, when a hand caught her wrist, preventing her from swinging her whip.

"I think that's enough. Don't you think so?" Lux asked.

Rose, whose wrist had been held by the Half-Elf, turned her head to look at Lux and glared in his direction.

"You must be that Half-Elf that my sister and Hector talk about," Rose commented as she looked at Lux from head to foot. "This is a family affair. I would appreciate it if you didn't intervene."

"I can't do that," Lux replied firmly. "Cai saved my life, so I can't watch her suffer."

Cai, who heard Lux's words, looked at the Half-Elf with a grateful expression.

"That's right, My Daddy!" Cai shouted. "You tell her who's boss!"

While Lux was confronting Rose, a Golden Baby Slime snuck out of the tent and hurried to where her Master was.

Cai was tied up by metallic chains, preventing her from breaking free. Seeing that her Master was bound tightly, Fei Fei fearlessly jumped up toward Cai, despite the flames that were licking Boar's entire body.

Just as Fei Fefi was about to bite through the chains that bound her Master, a whip coiled around her body and pulled her away.

"It seems that my sister had found a very loyal pet," Rose said as she held Fei Fei with her left hand, preventing the Baby Slime from breaking free. "Still, such loyalty is rare and must be rewarded."

​ Rose then kissed Fei Fei's forehead, making the golden slime stop struggling. A moment later, Fei Fei yawned and drowsily closed her eyes to sleep.

"Rose! You monster!" Cai, who saw what Rose did to Fei Fei, started to struggle more than ever. "How dare you do that to Fei Fei?!"

"Shut up," Rose replied before shifting her attention to Lux. "Can you let go of my hand now? I am doing a cleansing ceremony here and you are getting in the way. Grandpa, take this guy away, or else I won't cook you dinner later!"

Maximilian then exited the tent and looked at his granddaughter with fawning eyes.

"Don't worry, I'll explain everything to him," Maximilian stated as he grabbed hold of Lux. "Come, Lux. Let's have a bit of a chat. Keane, do you want to join us?"

"No," Keane replied. "I'll stay here, Sir Maximilian."

"Okay, just don't get in the way of the ceremony. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir."

Maximilian then gave the swordsman a brief nod before dragging Lux to the Main Tent, which belonged to their family.

Keane continued to stare at Rose, who was now chanting something as she whipped Cai every now and then, making the Boar wail pitifully.

As someone that had been bullied by Cai almost every day, seeing someone bully her back made the skinny swordsman feel as if he was looking at an angel who had come to bring salvation to the world.

Amidst Cai's continuous, pitiful squealing, Keane suddenly achieved enlightenment.

For a brief moment in time, it seemed that the peace that he had been looking for ever since he left the mountains, was finally within his reach.

 

Chapter 530 The Second Priestess Of The Rowan Tribe [Part 2]

"Cai has been neglecting her duties as of late, and the one performing her work is none other than Roseline," Maximilian said as he served Lux a cup of tea.

"She's Cai's sister and is two years younger than her. As you can see, Rose has a very strong and straightforward personality, but she is a very kind and loving girl. She's not always in the tribe because she usually stays on our ancestral grounds, along with her parents. Their duty is to watch over the members of our tribe that had been infected by the purple plague and prevent their condition from worsening.

"Rose is our Tribe's Second Priestess and, just like Cai, she has very strong spiritual powers. You must have been surprised to see that no villager tried to help Cai despite the fact that everyone here treasures and loves her, right?"

Lux nodded because he thought that anyone who tried to hurt Cai would receive the collective beating of the members of the Rowan Tribe. However, none of them stepped up to help her, which made him wonder earlier if he was still dreaming or not.

"The Priestesses of the Rowan Tribe are our Spiritual Leaders," Maximilian stated. "Their status in the tribe is nearly equal to mine. Also, Rose setting Cai straight is a natural occurrence, so everyone is already used to seeing this scene."

Maximilian chuckled because it had been a while since he had seen his granddaughter, who liked to bully others, getting bullied back by her own little sister.

"Just like Rose said earlier, what she was doing was a ceremony," Maximilian resumed his talk after having a good laugh. "It is a cleansing ceremony that will allow Cai to heal physically and spiritually. Since I have finished making the medicine for the Purple Plague, and Cai has returned to the tribe, I've decided to call Rose back for the time being.

"That way, she can take the medicine to our Ancestral Grounds, as well as perform the cleansing ceremony on Cai. This ritual will also heal the hidden injuries that Cai received during your expedition in the Gate of Conquest. You're planning to take a break from going to the Sacred Dungeon for a month or two, right?"

"Yes," Lux replied.

"Good. Cai will stay here in the Rowan Tribe for a month to help with her recovery. If she tries to sneak away and go to you, make sure to send her back here. I hope that you take this request of mine seriously."

"Yes, Sir. I will do as you ask."

Maximilian smiled and patted Lux's shoulder. "Good. Now, there is one more favor that I need to ask of you. You're already acquainted with Gerhart, right?"

"I'm not too familiar with him, but we talked a bit yesterday," Lux replied.

"You see, he is still unsure of what to do with his life." Maximilian sighed as he poured himself some tea. "His grudge against the Elswyth Royal Family still burns in his heart, and I'm afraid that if he doesn't do anything that will take his mind off things, he might do something reckless in the future. So, if possible, I want you to take him under your wing."

Lux's expression became serious after understanding what the Saint of the Rowan Tribe was trying to tell him.

"You want him to join my Guild?" Lux inquired.

Maximilian nodded. "He is a good lad, and I don't want to ruin his future by letting him sink further into depression each passing day. Gerhart needs something to do. It can be anything. Since you won't be bringing Cai with you for the time being, you can take him instead."

Lux scratched his head for a while before agreeing to Maximilian's request.

He was currently in need of trustworthy Guild Members, and since the Saint of the Rowan Tribe recommended Gerhart, he was willing to give his fellow Half-Elf a chance to think of things aside from revenge.

Cai's squealing had completely died down in the background, and Maximilian thought that now was the right time to go out.

When the two of them exited the tent, they saw Cai sleeping on the ground. Her dark-brown fur looked so glossy. It was as if she had just soaked in the hot springs. Lux couldn't find any injuries on her body, and from the way the shameless boar was snoring peacefully, it seemed that she wasn't in any pain at all.

Maximilian unceremoniously picked Cai up and brought her inside the tent.

Roseline, on the other hand, carried the sleeping Fei Fei and entered the tent behind her Grandfather.

Xander, who had aided Rose in burning Cai earlier, invited the Half-Elf, Keane, and Gerhart, who had also arrived at the scene earlier to have breakfast in their tent.

Lux and the others accepted the offer because they felt that Maximilian, Cai, and Rose needed some family time together.

To their surprise, Iris exited the Main Tent with Eiko on top of her head and walked towards Lux with a smile.

"Can I also join you guys for breakfast?" Iris asked with a smile.

"Sure," Xander replied as he led the way toward his tent.

The blue-haired beauty linked her hands with her fiance and walked side by side with him.

Eiko, who was on top of Iris' head, happily jumped to her Papa's head and giggled. Clearly, the Baby Slime had a good sleep and was in a playful mood.

"I thought you would be there to save Cai earlier, but you weren't around when your best friend was being burned alive," Lux teased his beautiful fiance, who seemed to have just finished bathing.

"Rose came to find me earlier and asked me to not interfere while she conducts a cleansing ceremony for her sister," Iris replied.

"You two know each other?"

"Un. We met a couple of times in the past. She also visited Barbatos Academy a few times before my birthday."

The Half-Elf smiled because it seemed that Cai's sister, Roseline, had a good head on her shoulders. Knowing that Iris was here, she decided to talk to her first and ask her to not interfere as she dealt with her sister.

Perhaps, the young lady knew that only Iris would dare to get in her way if she performed the ceremony without informing her.

The only person she didn't expect to appear was Lux, whom she had seen for the first time in her life.

Iris slowed down her pace in order to let Xander, Keane, and Gerhart walk ahead of them a little more before whispering in Lux's ears.

"Tell me what happened last night after breakfast, okay? Cai didn't tell me anything last night, but she seemed a little dazed when she returned to our room to sleep."

Suddenly, Lux remembered what Maximilian told Cai last night, and couldn't help but smile.

"It seems that Cai really likes you," Lux whispered back to Iris. "If she was a guy, she would definitely ask for your hand in marriage."

Iris giggled as she lightly squeezed Lux's hand. "Well, if Cai were really a guy, I just might have accepted his offer for marriage."

"... You're trying to make me jealous, right?"

"Yes. Did it work?"

A devilish smile appeared on Lux's face as he lightly squeezed Iris' hand and leaned a little closer to his fiance.

"It did," Lux whispered. "I'll punish you tonight for it."

Iris blushed after hearing Lux's threat, which she would happily welcome anytime.

However, they were currently away from Barbatos Academy, and she was afraid that she wouldn't be able to keep her voice down when her beloved punished her young and delicate body with his sensual touch.

"Don't worry. I'll be sure to cover both of your lips so that no one but me will hear your voice," Lux said softly.

Unknown to the two love birds, Xander and Gerhart heard their talk, making them want to tell Lux and Iris to go get a room.

However, they kept it in and pretended that they didn't hear anything. They even increased their pace to get away from the two lovers behind their backs, who were taking their sweet time talking about the things that they were going to do to each other inside Iris' room.

Only Keane, who was still thinking about Cai's little sister, Rose, was unaware that the Half-Elf and the blue-haired beauty were planning to do something tonight, which would make Cai unable to go to join Iris in her room.