Date: Unspecified
Ti: Unspecified
Location: Myriad Realms, Card World, Southern Region, Southern Capital
Hearing say that I intended to surrender to them left the two central governnt demigods utterly stunned, Madam Art included. Before either of them could voice their disbelief, a familiar shout rang out from afar. "Wyatt, have you lost your damn mind?"
"Queen, Princess," Madam Art said at once, bowing respectfully to the newcors. They were none other than Soldier Queen Colleen and Ann, the Southern Heir’s twin. Though they were all extended family, they upheld strict hierarchy in the presence of outsiders, careful not to undermine their standing or prestige.
I nodded to them as well. However, to my surprise, Ann was still a Card Emperor, even though her soul energy signature closely resembled that of a semi Card Demigod. Either Anna’s good-bad daughter origin card was not as perfect as rumored, or Anna was deliberately punishing Ann for going along with their mother’s sches, pushing her further down the Extre path.
Anna was clearly hesitant to continue along the Extre path, fully aware of what it would do to her despite the power it granted. Yet, Ann kept her in the dark about it. That much was evident in Anna’s decision not to take Ann along when she went to hunt down their scumbag of a father. Also, Ann wouldn’t et my eyes. Things couldn’t be more obvious. After all, she was the ’Good Daughter.’
"Ambella, take them away and detain them in separate cells," Colleen ordered, addressing Madam Art without waiting for my explanation.
At her command, the demigod in charge of the two central governnt envoys stared at Colleen in shock, wondering if she could sohow read his mind. Had he known that the Southern Royal family would truly dare to imprison the Masters’ servants in cell blocks like common criminals, they would have resisted when Demigod Ambella moved against them instead of allowing themselves to be captured so easily.
He had assud they would be placed under house arrest in one of the Southern Royal family’s guest residences. Now that things had co to this, he saw only one remaining option: to take his own life in his cell. He knew his partner would never do the sa, convinced as he was that they had successfully completed the Masters’ task without being killed. From the faint glint in that fool’s eyes, it was obvious his partner was feeling rather pleased with himself.
He had no choice but to kill himself. If he did not, both of them would remain alive, leaving the Southern Royal family with a possible way out when the Masters openly started their offence on the Southern Royal family. If that happened, the fate awaiting them would be worse than death.
So he chose to end his own life instead, knowing that his death would beco his dumbass partner’s saving grace. That realization troubled him more deeply than the fact that he was about to die. Only then did he truly understand the aning of the saying, ’The Lord takes care of fools and drunks.’
He blad himself for being too smart. As for my claim that I intended to surrender, he did not believe it for a mont. Even if I were willing to sacrifice myself for the sake of the Southern Royal family and the Southern Region, he was certain the royal family and the people of the southern region would never agree to it. A part of his mind also scread that I had only said it for appearances, to uphold my image as the Southern Hope.
"Yes, Your Highness," Ambella Art replied, moving to escort the prisoners away. She had taken only a few steps before stopping and I appeared before her stopping her in her tracks, adding, "Madam Art, please wait. There is no urgency to take them to their cells."
"Ambella, you are authorized to detain anyone who interferes with your duty. Even if it is the Southern Hope," Colleen ordered firmly.
The command left Ambella montarily uncertain. As a mber of the Southern Royal family’s extended circle, she was aware of my contract with Anna. Confronting directly was simply not an option. If they did, Anna, the Southern Heir, would inevitably bear the consequences. Using a soul whisper, Ambella reminded Colleen of this fact, explaining that the only way to resolve the situation was through communication, not force.
"Sotis I can’t help but wonder what he was thinking when he chose her as his heir," Colleen muttered, voicing her frustration with both her husband and their granddaughter. Then she t my gaze and said flatly, "Whatever you want to say, save it. I don’t want to hear it. Let Ambella do her duty."
"I—" I had just opened my mouth to plead my case when Colleen cut off, her anger erupting. "I let you go to the central capital against my better judgnt, and look what happened. I should have known better than to place my trust in a kid who’s still wet behind the ears. I’ve had enough of this. Starting tonight, you will live in the Royal Palace until the next academic year begins, at which point you will take charge of the Southern Academic City. That’s final. I don’t want to hear another word about it."
I remained silent, waiting for Colleen to cool down. I had always seen her as the caring elder I never had, so whenever she beca unreasonable, I couldn’t help but find it endearing. In her own way, she truly believed I needed protection from myself. Well, considering the things I’ve done lately, I think she was actually on to sothing.
"Are you calm now?" I asked after so ti had passed in heavy silence.
Ann and Ambella observed in silence. They both knew Colleen’s temper well. It took a great deal to provoke her, but once she was truly angry, heads would quite literally roll. They feared that if I continued to press the issue, Colleen might behead the two demigods from the central governnt on the spot.
"Why are you still standing in Ambella’s way?" Colleen thundered, then added in a cold, stern warning, "Young man, I am telling you now, I know thods to detain you without triggering the clause in your contract with Anna."
"Oh, I believe you," I replied calmly. "I haven’t forgotten the ti you kidnapped . It’s still fresh in my mind."
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