Shamuel’s tone was a mixture of surprise and delight, as if Westheid drawing [Shadow-Born] so easily was an unexpected, pleasant surprise.
’She doesn’t seem to know this weapon is already bound to ... Does the Shadow Fla Duke know?’
Duke Qinghui’s navy-violet eyes grew pensive. He stared into Shamuel’s blazing orange-red eyes, lost in thought.
"Brother, what’s wrong?"
Yolanda, keenly sensing the Patriarch’s emotional shift, imdiately asked.
"Is there a problem with this blade?"
Westheid didn’t answer. Instead, he tightened his grip on the gracefully curved [Shadow-Born]. He had no idea when this thing had bound itself to him, but there was no denying it was a perfect fit.
Its appearance, attributes, and power all seed tailor-made for him. From the mont he grasped it, he couldn’t bear to let go. Westheid wasn’t one to get attached to objects—to him, they were just tools to be used up and cast aside. And yet, [Shadow-Born] sparked a strange, lingering affection in him.
’It’s a signature weapon, that’s what it is.’
Westheid said, "The Master of Extinction... have you heard of them?"
Shamuel froze. "What’s that? It sounds like an exalted title, doesn’t it?"
"...If you haven’t heard of them, just forget I said anything."
Westheid said, shaking his head.
’The young lady was right,’ Westheid thought. ’It is indeed an exalted title. The title of a Great Demon.’
Using a discriminatory and derogatory term like "Demon" was misleading, however. In truth, the proper scholarly term for "Demons" was...
...Celestial God’s Shadow.
They were great beings second only to the Supre Celestial Gods, the "impurities" expelled during a Celestial God’s Ascension—the shadows of a past that those who reached the supre summit refused to look back upon.
Celestial Gods are beings of absolute purity and flawlessness. All imperfections, darkness, and filth must be completely severed during their Ascension. These expelled remnants then coalesce to beco Demons.
Westheid happened to be familiar with this particular Demon, the [Master of Extinction]. They were a clandestine entity known to almost no one, and the only Demon to harbor genuine goodwill toward mortals. They were also said to be very approachable.
In *Poem of Destiny*, if you were lucky enough to communicate with the [Master of Extinction], you could even receive gifts from them with no negative side effects.
The only reason Westheid hadn’t discarded [Shadow-Born] was his favorable impression of the [Master of Extinction].
But no matter how much he trusted the [Master of Extinction], no matter how much he accepted that they were a benevolent being, they were still a Demon. And as a Demon, they were inevitably linked to one of the Celestial Gods above.
If they were the shadow of any other Celestial God, the hidden danger wouldn’t be so great. But Westheid’s fear was that the [Master of Extinction] was the shadow expelled by [Emperor Qianlu].
Most Demons in the Mortal World were Emperor Qianlu’s doing, so it was a definite possibility.
And yet, it also seed unlikely. The nature of the [Master of Extinction] was completely different from that of [Emperor Qianlu]; they didn’t seem like his creation at all.
’Then whose shadow are they?’
’The [Radiant Holy Tree]? The [Yonglan Riding God]? The [Star Abyss Wings]? Or maybe... the [Venerable Master of the Azure Heaven]?’
’Damn it! It could be any of them!’
’Beings like Demons and Celestial Gods were basically just background lore. No matter how many tis I played through *Poem of Destiny*, there were so secrets I simply never learned.’
"My thanks for the Shadow Fla Duke’s gift. I’ll be taking this [Shadow-Born]."
After thinking it over, Westheid still couldn’t resist the temptation of the cool tachi.
He was already bound to [Shadow-Born]; that was an undeniable fact that couldn’t be changed even if he threw the weapon away. Since that was the case, he might as well keep it for now and just be cautious.
Since [Shadow-Born] was connected to the [Master of Extinction], Westheid was sure to have a chance to encounter the Great Demon in the future.
When that ti ca, he would find a way to investigate the origins of the [Master of Extinction]. If they turned out to be a particularly troubleso entity, it wouldn’t be too late to figure out how to break the bond.
’You have to face problems head-on. What’s the point of running away?!’
Westheid told himself, staunchly refusing to admit it was his own greed at work.
Then, very naturally, he secured [Shadow-Born] to the back of his waist.
"The aid Shadow Fla Territory has given Qinghui is sothing I will never forget. I won’t belabor the point with more words of thanks. Let’s board the battleship. Since the Shadow Fla Duke sent you, I will be sure to take good care of you."
Westheid reached out and ruffled Shamuel’s soft hair.
This act of patting her head like a child made the young lady pout instinctively. She was about to look up and protest when Duke Qinghui’s handso, dream-like face suddenly filled her vision.
Shamuel’s blazing orange-red eyes flickered, and a faint blush crept across her small, delicate, snow-white face.
In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to voice her objection, rely lowering her head with a soft whimper.
"Mm... S-Since Duke Qinghui insists, then... the shadow-flas that dwell within my eyes may rest for a ti."
With that, she lifted the hem of her skirt in a farewell curtsy to Westheid and scurried away in a fluster.
’Heh, she really is just a kid.’
Westheid smiled as he watched Shamuel’s retreating figure.
"The unity between the [Branches of Prosperity] is a great blessing for the Empire. It is rely a pity that Qinghui Territory is adjacent to the borderlands, where the Imperial Center’s control is difficult to extend. Even if I wished to grant Duke Qinghui certain discretionary powers, my hands are tied."
Sylvia remarked, walking over after witnessing the scene.
She genuinely wanted to help Westheid. Unfortunately, in the Radiant Holy Tree Empire, even the supre Royal Family had to abide by the law; they couldn’t simply do as they pleased.
Because in the Realms of Order of the Mortal World, neither the Royal Family nor the Noble Group were the ones who made the rules.
Only the Celestial Gods could create laws.
Westheid laughed. "Impartial enforcent of the law is a good thing. I’m a law-abiding man myself."
The Regent King was a busy woman, after all. After a few more pleasantries, she took her leave. If she hadn’t wanted to ask about Reiya, Westheid doubted Sylvia would have co over at all.
Westheid spent the next while waiting for the Floating Fleet to complete its departure preparations, chatting with the crew mbers to get acquainted.
The personnel for the fleet had been mostly recruited from Yuanshi Territory and the Imperial Capital. He had spent a fortune, so there was no shortage of applicants.
The only thing that dissatisfied Westheid was the scarcity of combat personnel.
’Looks like I’ll have to recruit locally in Qinghui Territory after all.’
The morning passed in the blink of an eye. All the Floating Battleships had been prepped and were ready for liftoff, yet Westheid still didn’t board.
Yolanda asked, "Brother, are you still waiting for soone? That Knight of Chivalry?"
The platinum-blonde girl didn’t show the expected respect or gravity for soone with a Tier T0 Talent. She said casually,
"She’s still not here. I guess she’s not coming. It’s not surprising, really. Who would join such a dangerous campaign for nothing in return?"
"Mivana will be here."
Westheid wasn’t worried about Mivana breaking her promise. As a Knight of Chivalry, honoring her agreents was the most fundantal part of her code. If she lacked even that conviction, she would have long ago devolved into a murderous Mad Beast.
As if to prove Westheid right, a slender silhouette slowly ca into view at the far end of the skyport’s mooring dock.
A smart, stylish, long-sleeved trench coat, shorts, and high boots, along with conspicuous beast ears and a silver sword. Even without a close look at her striking, sternly beautiful face, the Knightess’s image was unmistakable.
"Mivana!"
Westheid called out loudly, waving her over.
Mivana’s wolf ears instantly perked up and twitched. She imdiately ran over to Westheid.
The Wolf-eared Maiden looked at Duke Qinghui, brushed a few strands of hair from her forehead with one hand, and explained with so embarrassnt,
"Sorry, I got lost."
’So she has the "no sense of direction" trait, too?’
’Adorable.’
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