As Kyros left the palace with his son in hand, the nobles finally breathed a sigh of relief. For a moment, they could feel the combined bloodlust of the saints and Morph-ranked individuals in the center; it would have sent everything into ruins.

"We just got here, and you're already in trouble. I bet Dominic will go nuts when he hears of this," Icarius said as he chuckled.

Meanwhile, Aphemis wasted no time as she went to check on Lilith, but before she could even hug her, the kid swiftly went forward and held Samael by the shoulder.

"Are you okay?" She asked, worry visible in her tone as she frantically examined him.

Aphemis could only sulk in her place as Icarius went close to her.

"Are you really sulking over some kids?" he teased.

"Shut it, Icarius, before I drive my heels up your ass," she snarled.

"Ohh, how scary," Icarius said.

Looking at Samael, Aphemis could not help but say. "To think he actually upheld his promise."

"Promise?" Icarius asked.

"It's nothing," Aphemis brushed off.

"It seems you know him as well," Icarius pointed out.

"How amusing. I thought you set this up on purpose," Aphemis said.

"Pure coincidence is all. I never really knew the kid would know her," Icarius said.

"You trust people you don't even know the past of?" Aphemis asked as her brows raised.

"He's different," Icarius said.

"I... agree," Aphemis chimed in.

"Who is he really?" Icarius asked.

"I don't know either. When I investigated him, nothing came up. No records, no family, no nothing," Aphemis replied.

"Just... none?" Icarius asked as his brows furrowed.

"Just none," Aphemis confirmed.

"Well, that matches mine. When I digged through him, nothing really surfaced. All I know is that he appeared one day, and now he's here," Icarius said.

"But I do find one thing odd," Aphemis said.

"Oh, you're not going to charge me for this now, aren't you?" Icarius asked with his eyes narrowed down.

"No, you Buffoon. This one is free," she said.

"Then go ahead," Icarius said as he eased up.

"When I met him before, he was... scarred. He was damaged beyond belief," Aphemis mentioned.

"Can you explain?" Icarius curiously asked.

"He had scars etched in his flesh, burns, and all forms of wounds. It was like he was tortured. But even my men don't go through that much," Aphemis said.

"If I remember correctly, the scars on his skin would date years back. So either he was tortured every single day for years, or he got himself in some form of nasty accident back then," Aphemis said.

But they both know it will probably be the first.

Even an accident would be more merciful than that.

"Just who is he? What do you know about him?" Icarius couldn't help but ask.

"He's... nobody. But that nobody saved my precious granddaughter," Aphemis responded.

"Saved...?" Icarius asked, his eyes wide in surprise.

"Due to my carelessness, Lilith was abducted by slavers. She was almost sold off, but he got her back home safe," she said.

"I don't know how someone so frail managed to survive out in the crimson forest, but he did."

"However, those ministry bastards caught up quick and set up an ambush. I nearly didn't make it," Aphemis remembered, her hands slowly balling to a fist.

"But there he was, sacrificing himself for her. That bought me enough time to get her, but not him," she said, confusing Icarius.

"You're not making sense," he said.

"He was dying when I got there. His life force was swiftly fading as he was impaled by multiple demon-slaying rods," she revealed, prompting Icarius to jerk his head towards her.

"If you don't want to tell me, then don't," he said.

"I'm not lying," she resolutely answered. Seeing her expression, Icarius could not help but look at Samael like he was a ghost.

Demon-slaying rods were made specifically to kill demons. They're infused with poison that degrades your soul and flesh at a rapid pace. Due to this, it is a weapon the ministry strictly handles, as it can cause damage to humans just as much as to demons. To survive not only one but multiple of it...

"Although I did close up his wounds, I knew for a fact it was futile. He was dying. There was nothing else I could do," Aphemis said.

"Not to mention, when I left, the leader of the assassins used a suicide attack, destroying a portion of the forest," Aphemis remembered.

"However, he came back, alive, healed and devoid of wounds," Aphemis said.

"Not only that, he has shown miracles I never believed possible time and time again," she pointed out as she remembered how he entered a state of enlightenment when he obtained his first blade.

As Icarius listened further, the more absurd it felt.

"Just who are you?" he muttered to himself.

"What really bothers me the most is none of those," Aphemis said, luring Icarius's attention.

"He was elementless when I met him. I examined him. I'm sure of it," Aphemis said.

Icarius's brows furrowed.

"But this... I don't know what's this," she said.

The kid he left there was mundane. He had no elements. She knew it when she healed him. But now he comes back, and he wields a power she has never seen before. When she tried to pry deeper, she felt a form of fear she had never felt before. As though something was warning her to...

Know her place.

Just witnessing what occurred earlier, his element is no doubt strong in origin. That power is not something a kid like him should have. He was nearly nearing the strength of a saint!

Whatever happened to him that day, it remade him. He went through some rebirth, and now he's just better and healed.

You don't heal scars. Wounds heal; scars don't. But he did. And now he's back.

But Aphemis did not feel threatened. She could feel the pure and raw desire he felt for Lilith before. He was the same. He never changed.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Besides, who was she to take her granddaughter's happiness away?

When Samael left, Aphemis made sure to make him realize why. It was because he was weak. He was unable to protect Lilith, and that made him a target. A hole in their defense.

But now? There was nothing she could say. He was strong now. He has filled that hole and become a wall that stands before the enemy.

She can finally trust him.

Even if she wanted to get rid of him, she probably couldn't. Just seeing that pure smile on her granddaughter's lips is enough to melt her.

"Long time no see, kid," Aphemis greeted.

"Aphemis," Samael acknowledged as he gave the woman a nod.

However, before Aphemis could continue, Icarius swiftly dragged her away along with Ajax.

It was time to give the kids some time and handle some adult matters. They still had a mission here.

As the three went away, the nobles finally breathed a good sigh of relief. They couldn't act carelessly with three monsters hanging about.

Seeing the mood lighten, the musicians played a round of lighthearted and festival-like music, filling the palace with its remarkable notes and hymns.

Hearing the shift in the music, the nobles started to dance with their partners and friends, along with their reverberating laughter and cheers.

Influenced by this atmosphere, Lilith chuckled as she intertwined her fingers with Samael before dragging him into the center.

Dancing to the music, she twirled and circled, the white silk of her dress drifting in the air. She was like a fairy, beautiful beyond belief.

Unable to resist her, a smile made its way to Samael's lips as he followed suit, entertaining the girl before her.

Their laughter echoed throughout the walls of the palace, filling the night with nothing but pleasant memories.

***

"The preparations are ready, sir," a masked individual said.

"Good. How about the targets?" the leader asked.

"They're still in the palace," the assassins answered.

"The monsters?" The leader asked.

"They're in the meeting lounge as predicted," the assassins detailed.

"Good, we shall strike when the announcements begin. That is when they're weakest and most vulnerable," the leader said as he stood above a cliff, overseeing the palace engulfed in light.

On cue, the sphere in his jacket glew as he took it out.

"Master," he said as he kneeled.

"Are the preparations complete?" he asked.

"Yes, master. They're in place," the assassins said in unison.

"I expect only good news," the master said.

"We will succeed," the leader said with determination.

"Be warned, the demon hunting rods I have sent you are modified. They are not your normal weapons," the leader warned.

"What do you mean, master?" The leader asked.

"The demon hunting rods I sent are made specifically to kill the chaos witch. They are imbued with twice the purity of poison you'll find in the normal ones," the master said.

"That being said, it is also far more destructive for humans. Handle it with caution. This weapon is still a secret of the ministry," the man behind the orb said.

"We understand, master," the leader said.

"But if I may ask, how long will the barrier hold?" he asked.

The man behind the orb remained silent for a moment before answering.

"At most, it may hold the monsters back for ten minutes," he answered.

The assassins exchanged glances. Ten minutes was too narrow.

"It is enough, master," the leader reassured.

"Good. I will hear more from you later," the master said before he vanished.

"Do not ever doubt the master again," the leader said without sparing the assassin a glance.

"Ten minutes is long enough to handle some brats," the man followed.

***

As the Serenity Ball went on, the time of socializing began. It was the most anticipated time for the nobles, as it was the most beneficial for them. Making connections was one of the main reasons they came.

Soon, aristocrats of all ranks had begun to cross from table to table, greeting each other and exchanging a few words of kindness.

Some proposed a toast, while others gossiped endlessly. It was your typical noble party. However, even Samael and Lilith were not pardoned.

Samael and Lilith sat by a table in the far corner of the palace, but even that did not help them as the Aristocrats swarmed them by the dozen.

However, there was a clear division between the two. Most of the people around Lilith were men, while Samael was a crowd of young woman.

That being said, the Thaesir heirs were keeping their distance as of the moment.

"Sir Samael! I heard you're quite famous among the watchers!" A young blond lady said as she went closer.

Samael remained nonchalant as he answered. "It was really nothing."

"Oh, how humble of you. If I may ask, what are your connections to Sir Icarius?" the lady asked.

Samael could only sigh. They were all the same, aiming either to make a connection with Ajax or Icarius. Why didn't they just ask the two themselves?

"Sir Icarius is... my boss. You can say," Samael answered.

"How curious," the lady said, but she was soon cut off as a woman with black hair came forward.

"Good evening, sir Samael. My name is Rosaline Revouine." She introduced herself as she peeked ever so slightly, her cheeks flushing red.

Samael was quite the looker indeed, but being this close was different all together.

"Pardon my rudeness, but would you be so kind as to toast with me?" she asked seductively.

Seeing nothing wrong with this, Samael gave her a slow nod as he took his glass.

After toasting, the woman gave out a flirtatious smile as she drank the liquor straight before acting tipsy.

Seeing this move, the other noble women couldn't help but gasp. How bold was she to pull something like this?

Samael's brows furrowed as he watched the woman come closer, her steps shaky.

"Oh my, it seems the alcohol has gotten into me," she said as she giggled.

Meanwhile, Lilith could not help but frown upon this. Although the men were constantly bombarding her with questions, her focus was still on Samael. Every move he made was enough to capture her attention.

But before she could do anything, a noble swiftly went to her.

"Oh, Miss Lilith, where are you going? If you wish, I shall escort you," he said, a smile visible in his face.

"Ah, no need—" Lilith's words were cut off as the man spoke.

"Now don't be so rash, Miss Lilith; I'm only doing this with the goodness of my heart," he said as he reached out to her exposed shoulder.

Seeing this, the other nobles couldn't help but frown. But they could not do anything as his stature was higher than theirs.

But before he could reach out, a hand swiftly held his wrist, keeping him in place.

"What the..." the man muttered as his face flushed red in anger.

"Unhand me!" He roared as he shifted his look towards the perpetrator. But upon seeing who it was, his face paled.

"Or what?" Samael asked, his voice cold and unforgiving.

The man couldn't answer as Samael's grip tightened, followed by the sounds of bones creaking.

The man felt the urge to scream, but a shiver went down his spine as he saw Samael's crimson gaze.

Letting go, the man swiftly fixed his suit as he nearly tripped. "I-I'll be t-taking my leave now," he stuttered as cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

"Good," Samael said.

Lilith felt her cheeks heat up as she stared at Samael's broad chest. It was every girl's fantasy to have their prince save them. It was truly a dream come true.

However, before she could even speak, the same girl pestering Samael came up to him, acting as though she tripped as she tried to land on him.

But a firm hand swiftly kept her upright as Lilith came closer to her, whispering in her ears.

"You would be wise to leave now, Miss Rosaline," Lilith whispered, her tone cold and sharp.

Mentioning her name was a warning, that Lilith knew who she was. And getting rid of dust was nothing.

Rosaline's face paled as she felt Lilith's grasp tighten, a sharp ache traveling in her arm.

"Do not ever bother him again, or you will see that my beauty isn't the only thing that is deadly," Lilith warned.

A small, imperceptible smile made its way to Samael's lips as he heard her whispers. A wave of joy grasped his heart.

Letting go of the woman, Rosaline hastily went away.

Extending his hand forward, Samael ruffled the girl's hair. "Don't get so mad. It doesn't suit you," Samael said.

Lilith's cheeks inflamed as a pout made its way to her visage. "You heard, didn't you?" She asked.

A light chuckle escaped Samael's lips. "Nope, I definitely did not," Samael said.

"Liar!" Lilith fired back, causing the two to erupt in laughter.

But their laughter was soon cut off as a loud voice echoed.

"A good night to all nobles present today!" The announcer said.

"But, if I may intrude on the fun, we have here a special speaker," the announcer mentioned as a figure went up. It was Icarius, along with Ajax, Aphemis, and the other Thaesir leaders.

Seeing this, the crowd gasped as they gave out a round of applause. It was time for the announcements!

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Icarius said.

"The night is still long. There is plenty more fun to do."

"I know the situation has been pretty rough recently with all the monster attacks, but fear not," he said.

"The future of humanity is bright still," Icarius said.

"Each and every one of you still holds a flame that gives light to our darkest moments. Your futures still burn bright."

"I wish to congratulate the Thaesir heirs for their contribution in clearing some of the monster attacks in Tera when we were gone. Your actions are recognized," Icarius praised, prompting the Thaesir heirs to bow down with a confident smile.

"We also extend our thanks to the knights who volunteered to fight alongside us in pursuit of freeing the Georgia Road," Icarius mentioned.

"Your service is appreciated," he said.

"But that's not the only reason I'm speaking here," Icarius said.

"I know all of you have known by now that the previous saint has passed on. May her soul find the light," Icarius said, giving respect along with the other nobles.

"This begs the question: who will protect us now?" he asked.

"I am proud to present with you two astounding individuals who have contributed greatly to the war a few weeks ago," Icarius said.

"Sir Ajax of the Azureborn family and Samael!" Icarius said as cheers and heavy rounds of applause thundered in the palace.

Samael could only sigh as he was dragged forward. Meanwhile, Ajax was also forced to go up.

The two could only curse the man in their heads.

"These two have not only aided personally in the monster extermination but have slain the saint beast, threatening the peace of Tera. Without them, we would not have been able to win," Icarius said.

"Back to the question of who will protect us; who would it be if not them?" Icarius said.

The nobles gave out cheers of support. Having a saint made them feel at ease. Now, the balance was going to be restored again.

As Samael went up the stairs, he could not help but feel something was amiss.

Frowning, he slowly felt himself, and his eyes flew open.

Innate ability "Instinct" has triggered!

Then it began.

"Activate the barrier."