V3 Chapter 5
"Not bad. Out of everyone in the entire young generation in the Black Lands, very few can block my attack. I will take some time out of my day to deal with you. To die in my hands is nothing to be ashamed of. I am Asceius Reidheld Grimward, First Prince of the Godstone Kingdom! State your name, Foxman!” Asceius asked, continuing to smile gracefully, and his beautiful face turned warm and blossomed like an orchid in Winterland.
This was the first time that Cian had seen him smile. His beauty was already alluring enough to entice the entire city, yet when he smiles, it’s even more dangerous. His eyes seemingly sent electric shocks, and his body broke out immeasurable amounts of magic power. Like an angel, his temperament was both divine and distressing!
“Cian Cahlo…a wanderer,”
Cian stopped and bowed elegantly.
“So you’re not going to state your faction?” Asceius mumbled with a frown. To him, he was certain that Cian came from a large faction, perhaps one of the Beast God City’s Holy Beast Faction even. And yet, the Foxman before him refused to say anything further. “You disappoint me,” he said, and just like he said, this disappoints him greatly.
“Oh really? But that’s the truth, though,” Cian smiled wryly. He was truly speaking the truth. But why do people don't believe in the truth when they're spoken for real, but rather believe in lies, instead...? Baffling.
Asceius snorted coldly, and said; “So be it! I will drag those answers right out of you after I beat you up!”
Bang!
Boundless magical power furiously erupted in an instant, and even the entire area was shrouded in frozen ice. In the next flash, the figure of Asceius had appeared right in front of Cian like a specter. Bringing along waves of surging ice-cold energy, Asceius leg went flying out, causing even the air to explode apart due to the winds brought about by his leg.
Like a whipping hammer, his leg smashed towards Cian’s head without the slightest bit of mercy.
A single kick, direct and efficient.
Bang!
However, the winds brought about by the kick was blocked by Cian, causing energy fluctuations to ripple out, while fissures appeared on the ground below them. As Cian slowly raised his arm, which had blocked the incoming kick, the smile on his face slowly grew increasingly malevolent, while a dark voice filled with killing intent rang out across the stone platforms of the second highest step.
"If this is the way you want to do this, let me apologize beforehand, Bellisima, for I may be a gentleman, it doesn't mean I will not fight back when bullied. I will first defeat you, before teaching you how to show respect and common courtesy.”
His gaze turned frigid and the entire atmosphere changed as a result. The previously scholar-like temperament of his transformed into a fierce, warrior-like expression. Boom! Using only his ultimate mana, the light that surrounded him was destroyed into particles. The attack of his opponent was easily and completely resolved!
"It’s rude to not give something in return. And so, accept this!" Cian’s body released bright bluish-white sparks and the frost cold that was assaulting him immediately melted.
Asceius felt his leg almost gone numb—
Lightning vs Ice, both were variant elements?! Fox tribe is good at fire magic, yet this man is using a lightning attribute?
Cian’s sword slashed forward. His destructive magic power filled the air and swept the ground!
It’s even stronger than the last attack.
Although weaker, but physical strength and speed—this person’s abilities really are not below mine!
Asceius was a little stunned. He finally realized that he has truly encountered an unimaginable strong opponent. He did not believe that in the entire Black Lands, there would be someone tough that he didn’t know about. This Cian Cahlo is surely one of the brightest stars in the Black Lands, with him able to contend against him whose God's blood is thicker than anyone in the Kingdom.
To think that someone was capable of contending against a God’s Blood… this boy surely possess a God’s Blood as well!
Him, without a faction, is, as I expected impossible…!
“You lying bastard!!”
The white and black swords clashed, making a ferocious sound.
The two of them were locked in a standstill, neither one of them giving any ground!
At that moment, Cian and Asceius were making direct eye contact with each other!
One filled with ice-cold energy, while the other emitting hot bright sparks. Both of the two contrasting swords were unable to advance even an inch as the two men stared at each other’s eyes—Outwardly, the two looking at each other’s eyes appeared simple and only lasted for a moment before they once again separated. However, the contrasting emotions from the two people were revealed bare to both parties and made them felt as if that instant lasted for a very long time.
Eyes are the windows of the soul.
In every world, such a saying existed and believed.
Whether in conflict, fighting, or in a simple conversation, people were typically inclined to pay attention to the eyes of the other person. Despite treating each other as enemies, both tried to see through their enemies- through their eyes. Hence, despite the blurring speed of the two people, their eyes never left the other.
With Ice God Soul in his body, Asceius possessing an icy atmosphere that was akin to a field of ice and snow that was a thousand miles wide. It was not even the least bit inferior, or even perhaps much stronger than Oriel who was known as the Ice Princess.
The eyes of the Human Prince was arrogant and wild like the King of the Wolves in Northern Grassland. At the same time, it was sharp as a sword and cold as ice. His eyes were filled with ruthlessness, and aloofness that can only be seen by someone who is standing above people!
With this gaze, all the living things in the world were like ants, no one able to compare!
On the other hand, Cian’s gaze was peaceful, warm, and calm like the still surface of a pond. Unobserved, calm, steady, and undismayed. It's as if, despite being in a fight, he was not the least bit unperturbed, with no emotion clearly be seen from his gaze. No anger, no hate, no excitement, nothing. It's as if even in front of death, he would feel nothing.
His eyes were abstruse and his thoughts couldn’t be known. However, his beautiful crimson eyes seemed to gleam brightly as if it was capable of seeing through the other party's very being, causing not so little stir inside Asceius heart--feeling as if his greatest secret was laid bare in front of these eyes.
Even still, it’s as if nothing could give rise to storm amidst those clear red seas, that everything is ordinary in front of him.
To Asceius, he was as if just a stone trying to stir the pond, but only able to cause a small wave before disappearing.
You are above people, but who cares… in front of me, you are still nothing.
Death is still an end to a mortal.
No matter how high you are, you are still not out of ordinary.
To Asceius, it could be said that Cian was condescendingly watching over all the people from the clouds up high, with a majestic gaze that was scattered to the people below by the wind!
Asceius backed up a few steps and stared at Cian whose expression didn’t change even now. His eyes narrowed, a smile that had not reached his eyes, but it made his expression radiant. Despite fighting to the death, he still exposed an indescribable smile, making him look extremely lovely but coupled with his eyes; he looked like a wild beast baring his fangs.
When Asceius thought the other party would attack him, in which he immediately prepared and went into stance, his opponent suddenly stopped.
“Okay, I’m done…I don’t know what your deal is, but I’m not going to fight.”
Cian’s smile suddenly turned into a grin as he steps back. He looked at Asceius and smiled.
“Fighting with you is pretty stressful. I hate it,”
Cian was not scared of him, but fighting Asceius without meaning is completely idiotic, like doing a very stressful job without any reward. More so, Asceius was much stronger than him—he was only able to fight evenly with him until now because of his abilities and [Night’s Eye] and also the fact that Asceius was just trying to test him out. If he turned serious, he would be in for a troublesome fight. And more so, his secrets would also be laid out, which would prove detrimental for his current disguise and plans.
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He might sometimes show a symptom of a battle maniac, but that is Aanuel’s influence and the Demon Prince's idiotic arrogance of his typical ‘I am Superior’ principle, which he didn’t want to be shared with him. As Cian Cahlo, he was not interested in battles without purpose. As much as possible, he wanted to find an easier way than violence.
Cian thought Asceius would ignore him, and prepared to turn around and run away, the moment the other party showed a fighting stance. However, unexpectedly, Asceius paused for a moment. His beautiful eyes looked up at him. Suddenly, without any warning, he crooked his head and smiled at him.
“Why? Because I’m not a beautiful woman like you thought before, but instead a man?”
Cian even knowing that he was a man, still couldn’t help but stare somewhat blankly. Suddenly, he was covered in Goosebumps.
When did I change camp?!
Damn it, this bastard was simply too beautiful.
Dangerous!
Cian's poker face didn’t change, however, even though he was cursing himself inwardly for being too weak against beauties that even a man was not let off.
This must be that damn pervert Aanuel’s unneeded influence!
Cian glanced at Asceius fair neck as he answered, “Gender does not distinguish beauty, Bellisima. You are a natural beauty and the focal point no matter where you go. Sadly, I had made it a habit of enjoying looking at beautiful people, not fighting against them to death. It would be a waste to deny these simpler pleasures of existence, after all. But because of that, I’m pretty much mentally exhausted right now. It's stressful fighting with you, looking at your face. It’s damn demoralizing,”
Asceius rolled his eyes but her stance lowered. Even though he knew that Cian was drugging him with sweet words, he had loosened up due to it, “Am I that beautiful? Why hasn’t anyone praised me about it?” he said with a taunting grin.
The Ruins are finally opening, so Asceius didn't have any time or energy to waste. It would be bad if he would become spent empty before going in. Or wounded even. It would have been different if his opponent was weak. But Cian wasn't, which made him on-guard and careful. But if the other party didn't have the intention to fight, then he might as well pull back as well, and set this battle for a later time.
Cian shrugged and explained to him, “Because in the eyes of others, you’re beyond their reach. Everyone treats you more as superior than even a woman. What? Do you think a mere mortal will approach a goddess and say that she was beautiful? Only someone retard, or perhaps, a man with balls of steel could do that—after all, which Goddess wouldn’t know they are beautiful?”
Normally, if someone says this to Ascieus, he would just snort in contempt and ignore it. No matter whether it was a heaven-defying beauty or a handsome prince who had praised his appearance before, he never even give a glance at them. And yet, for some reason, his interest was piqued and he found himself not the least bit bothered. In fact, he wasn’t unhappy, and it even felt fresh to him, which made him filled with somewhat strange emotions.
This is a first...
“I guess, you do have a point,” was briefly stunned before he said in a low voice. “You also think that I’m beautiful?”
Cian helplessly smiled. “I’m a normal man, Bellisima. And there’s no problem with my taste. Even though you’re a man, beauty can never be denied. Especially not me.”
Asceius once again reinforced the belief that Cian wasn’t simple at all. Since ordinary men would show great emotions when they looked at him. Even those from the great Clans and families, not to mention the forces from the Beast God City would stare at him with greed, despite his Gender. But despite this mysterious guy's looks, he had a firm heart that wasn’t crazy about him.
This was really a first. Whether it was Cian’s attitude or his way of words, he found it somewhat likable, at the same time interesting.
Seeing how Asceius was made happy by his words, Cian felt somewhat complicated as he knew that he had unconsciously flirted with him, despite not trying to. Women were mostly listening creatures, so words were even more effective than any flirting methods. However, it seems like not all women, but also all the creatures that can be called a beauty were easily affected by it.
Still, what’s wrong with this guy?
He was all going gung ho about fighting and killing me just a while ago, and yet he now had changed into a new person all of a sudden. So how? He seemed to be different from the ice block of himself from a while ago. [Night’s Eye] should not be that effective against him due to his power, not like Cian even attacked him after knowing its uselessness.
With this guy’s character, he would definitely not be fooled by his appearance and liked him after some flowery words.
So why?
Asceius mood seemed to have calmed down and even the sword on his hand slowly melted and disappearing. However, with [Night’s Eye], Cian was able to see that the moment the icicle rapier melted and disappeared, a thin blue liquid flowed through the Human Prince's hand, then turning into a bracelet which was covered beneath his robe. It’s not magic, it’s an artifact. And perhaps, almost possessing similarities with Cian’s [Imagis Realis].
A transforming artifact…?
It must have been a secret as the way Asceius did it was extremely covert. Sadly, Cian has [Night’s Eye] and nothing in this mundane world could baffle him!
Asceius pursed his lips after a brief ponder.
“I also dislike fighting. So, can you reveal your identity, as a sign of honesty? Are you someone from Beast God’s City? And which faction?”
Cian rolled his eyes, “Beast God’s City? What the hell is that?”
Asceius burst into laughter. Cian was truly amusing and Asceius somehow felt at ease by talking to him. “You’re living in the Black Lands and you didn’t even know the Beast God’s City? Which rock do you think you came from? If you want to pretend, why not make it even more believable?”
“Oh, it seems you’re quite insightful. I do come from a rock, just recently born. It was the great stone that stood on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. Since the time of creation, the rock had collected the essence of heaven, earth, and the stars. Hence, I was born. Although I’m not a monkey and instead, a fox, who said a fox cannot be born from a rock? Though I’m not so impertinent to name myself as a Fox King, still a pleasure to meet you, nonetheless~” Cian rumbled as he placed the sword behind his waist and left it hanging parallel to the ground.
Leona, seeing the battle seemed to have ended, appeared behind her master. She couldn’t find an opportunity to join the fight a while ago because of her current strength. She could hardly even follow their movements at all.
If she tried to forcefully interfere, she would only burden her Master. The Manticore was somewhat depressed. But because of this, the will to become even stronger was ignited within her. She stared at Asceius with a threatening glare. Even if she felt powerless, her gaze still showed a ferocious look.
Even if I can’t defeat you, so what? You can’t even defeat my Master! Get lost!
“You are born from a rock?” Asceius snickered. “To even lie in front of me, are you feeling complacent now that you think I’m willing to talk to you?”
With a smile hanging on his face, Cian shrugged.
“What is there to be complacent about? I just answered your question, that’s all. Also, an additional point, it’s true that I don’t know about this so-called Beast God City? Do you mind if you fill me in about it? That seems to be a scenic spot I wish to visit~”
Asceius narrowed her eyes, then he sighed. This guy before him looked like he needed a beating from him, so he changed the topic, “You came for the ruins as well, aren’t you?”
“Ruins? Yeah, but I don’t know much about it. While I was wandering around, I just felt a large fluctuation of magic power and felt a summoning-like feeling calling onto me. So, here I am. If you don’t mind, please fill me in with that as well. From what I know, Ruins are dangerous, right? We can also team up together, with honor and pride on the line—not like we have anything to prove our sincerity. We can share the treasures found equally, how about that?”
“You actually think I would trust a liar like you?” Asceius snorted. “One who has no shame and credibility, actually ask for cooperation, even idiots wouldn’t even think about it.”
“Well, at least a liar has some credibility of being a liar, Bellisima. So you can take your guard up always and never trust me. Then, we can work with the other aspects like kicking away unwanted people,” replied Cian. The corner of his mouth lifted. “At least you have some understanding about me now, unlike me, who didn’t have the least bit understanding of a transgender like you. Who knows you might actually try to assault me on the way, wouldn’t I be the one in danger instead? I’m staking my chastity here as well, you know.”
Asceius was stunned since he did not expect such a response from Cian. Immediately, he knitted his brows. “You are very rude!”
“You are the one that started it. I’m not a gentleman enough to take the insult of others. If I responded with a smile despite being humiliated, wouldn’t I be a retard?” Cian replied calmly.
Suddenly, as the two of them glared at each other, an earth-shattering rumble that disturbed the entire Black Lands occurred. Immediately, the wind blew, clouds scattered and dispersed, and rocks flung. At the exact moment the rumbling rocked the space, the sky slightly turned dark, and the pillar of golden light became the only light source in the entire world.
The golden light was dizzying. But it was only for a moment as it slowly faded and disappeared. However, the significance of this event occurring was something no one could ignore;
“The Ruins finally opened!”
Asceius muttered with a grave voice.
“Hmm, a terrible feeling swept over me—is this the Ruins opening you mentioned?” Cian turned in the same direction as Asceius and couldn’t help but narrowed his eyes in seriousness.
“…so it began…”
Asceius muttered, ignoring Cian. He then glanced back and stared at Cian for a while before walking away.
“Hey,” Cian called out.
However,
“Don’t think you can fool me. “ Asceius muttered. “I don’t trust you,”
With good reason, in this land, Cian thought as he smiled wryly at Asceius who was glaring at him.
“We could be good friends. I make it a policy to never trust anyone,” he countered, keeping a challenge in his tone.
Asceius heard his answer and he gnashed his teeth in anger. He wondered briefly what Cian really was up to, but after thinking a bit, he refrained from asking. He was certain that he would get, all the same, witty shenanigans that don’t answer any of his questions. And it would just make his head throbbed in anger.
Though, wondering at the same time, why he doesn’t want to get physical with this guy. If this was other people, he would have already turned them into a block of ice without hesitation. And yet, why is this man different? Is it because he senses no malice from him? Is it because he seemed to be different from all the people he had met since young? Or is it because he felt an unprecedented danger that seemed to spell out trouble if he fought against this unknown guy?
With a confused but frustrated expression, Asceius turned around and started walking away.
However, after a few minutes of walking, he stops and turned around.
“Can you stop following me?!”
“I’m not following you,”
Cian replied with a playful smile. He spoke in a very matter-of-fact way that irritates Asceius even more.
“Who said you’re the only one who was going in that direction? I, as well, am heading in that direction. It just happens that you and I have the same destination, savvy?”
“Do you really want to die?!”
Asceius asked with a dark and threatening expression. The cold aura was once again being released from him, freezing everything nearby, plants and trees alike.
However, Cian was still unperturbed and instead walk over to him with a wide smile.
“No need to speak like you want to kill me, Bellisima. We are good friends, close enough we could sleep together every night. Why the cold reception?”
“Who’s going to sleep with you?!”
Asceius face turned beet red and his slender arm stretched out, punching.
With a smooth back step, Cian easily avoided his attack.
“Okay, okay, not going to sleep, no need to be so violent,”
“You! I had already told you to leave me alone! Just what is it that you want?!”
“I already told you what I want, though,”
Cian smiled helplessly and looks at him as if he was a child that just couldn’t understand simple things.
“And I said NO!” Asceius gnashed his teeth with clear frustrations. Then, he snorted; “One last time, you better leave. If I see you again, next time, I will kill you!” then, his figure blurred and he disappeared.
Cian scratches the back of his head as he watched Asceius disappear.
This guy’s hard to please…
… …