"Why to bother with something so fruitless, why is someone like you degrading himself to be a servant of someone who will never reach your level, let alone surpass you?"
Astaria questioned with a solemn look on her face.
"Because I love her, of course."
Nux answered honestly and Evane's eyes widened in surprise and horror.
'We were going to be honest with her!?'
Evane questioned through the telepathic connection. Nux, however, didn't answer and continued to look at Astaria with a smile on his face.
Astaria narrowed her eyes.
"You love her?"
"I do."
Nux nodded and to prove his point, he grabbed Evane's hand.
Evane, who was scared about the consequences was now even more surprised, however, even after that, she didn't reject him.
She tightened her grip and glanced at Astaria with a determined look on her face.
'Whatever. If she decides to attack you, you know what to do.'
Evane spoke.
'Don't worry.'
Nux replied in a calm voice.
"With my talent, I certainly deserve to be your granddaughter's hand, right, Lady Astaria?"
Nux questioned.
"…"
Astaria didn't say anything and just continued to observe the two of them.
Nux was just smiling at her, Evane, however, looked a little scared. However, she wasn't scared because Nux was lying, she was scared thinking about what her reaction will be. Still, Evane was looking at her with a determined look on her face. Astaria liked that look.
At the very least, she can be sure that her granddaughter actually loves this boy.
However, that was not her concern right now.
"Love huh?" Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
She spoke,
"What if you only want control over the Throne through her? What if you want to use her as your puppet so you can rule this Kingdom?"
"Heh, why would I do something so pointless if I wanted that? In a few years, I will become an Emperor, the strongest existence in this world.
Once that happens, I can create a Kingdom of my own, why would I work so hard to take control over some other Kingdom?" Nux replied with a smile on his face.
Hearing his answer, Astaria couldn't help but chuckle,
"Do you really think making your own Kingdom is that simple, boy?"
"Is it not?" Nux tilted his head in confusion.
Astaria smiled,
"If you, as an Emperor, try to create your own Kingdom, your action will be seen as a revolt against the Four Strongest Countries in this world.
Skyfall, Skadi, Solid Earth, and the Woods, all of them would attack you and this includes the Emperors supporting these Kingdoms. There is no way you can go against all these Kingdoms alone."
"If I become an Emperor, then I can."
Nux, however, didn't back down.
Astaria narrowed her eyes.
"I am sure you have already felt it when you tested me, I am not your average King Stage Cultivator, I can defeat 10s of King Stage Cultivators alone. That King Stage Cultivator you sent to keep an eye on me can be considered as an example.
Lady Astaria, I am a lot stronger compared to a normal King Stage Cultivator, what do you think will happen once I become an Emperor?"
"…"
Astaria didn't say anything, however, she understood what Nux was trying to say.
If he became an Emperor, he will be a lot stronger than a normal Emperor.
This statement sounds absurd at first, King Stage cannot be compared to Emperor Stage, however, how many Emperors were confident enough to go against 10s of King Stage Cultivators when they were only King Stage Cultivators?
No one.
Even she, the strongest of all the Emperors in this world could only fight against a maximum of 3 King Stage Cultivators and even she would have to retreat in front of them.
Talking about 10… it was impossible.
She would have been surrounded within a few minutes.
Nux, however, was different. He was strong, she had felt it when she used her 'pressure' on him, even after using all her energy, she only managed to break his bones.
This was not something a normal King Stage Cultivator could do.
Thinking about all this, Astaria started believing Nux's words, and soon, an evil smile appeared on her face.
"Boy, aren't you scared that I would feel threatened and would try to kill you to remove a future threat?"
"Are you really going to kill your Student's Student?"
Nux questioned back.
Astaria frowned. A badge then appeared in Nux's hand and he passed it to Astaria.
Astaria took that badge and after looking at it for a few seconds, a smile appeared on her face,
"So you are Arvina's student. That answers why you know so much about Emperors and stuff."
"I am not your enemy, Lady Astaria. There is no need for you to feel threatened by me. If I become an Emperor, I will only be a dependable Ally. My lover would be Queen of this Kingdom, after all. Why would I try to go against my lover?"
Nux smiled as he glanced at Evane. Evane smiled back.
"What if your 'lover' does not become the Queen? Won't you try to go against us to get your revenge?"
Astaria questioned with an amused look on her face.
"You do not have any other choice."
Nux shrugged.
Astaria raised her eyebrow.
"What? Don't look at me like that. The First Prince tried to kill his own brother and sister, there is no way he is fit to become the king, too greedy and merciless. He would destroy the Kingdom."
Hearing those words, Astaria's face turned solemn and… a little… sad?
"The Third Prince is dead, the Fourth Prince is a useless man who decided to waste his life on alcohol and women. The only good choice is My Evane, the Second Princess."
"Alright, whatever."
Hearing his words, Astaria's mood changed a little.
She sounded… annoyed?
Nux frowned, he didn't know what happened.
"Are you the one Arvina chose to be the next Emperor who will protect this Kingdom?"
Astaria changed the topic.