“Kali, are you up for it?”

Aria asked with a low voice, even when Shin was sitting right beside her, he couldn’t hear any sound.

Kali didn’t show any reaction, only lifting her lips slightly open.

“You’re talking about the hunters?”

Even when Kali tried to suppress her expressions, she couldn’t help but disdain the so-called ‘hunters’.

“This is bigger than we thought.”

Aria said while still stroking Shin’s cheeks, she was smiling faintly as she stared at Shin.

“How are you recovering?”

Aria asked while sending a quick glance towards Kali.

“Fine.”

Kali sent a glance back towards Aria, locking their eyes with each other.

“But, you’re right.”

Kali squinted her eyes slightly, her voice turned cold.

“This is a lot bigger than I thought!”

“I have been roaming around for a thousand years, but I still haven’t heard a single thing about them.”

“Humph!”

“They sure know how to piss me off, picking on the one person I can show who I truly am!”

“If something happens, make sure that he is safe.”

“We don’t know when they will come, but it seems like they will be coming no matter what.”

Aria mentioned it once again.

“Hehe.”

Aria laughed as she looked at Eline.

“Have you planned where you will be taking Shin to?”

She was staring deeply into Eline’s eyes.

Eline shuddered and bowed while trying to answer Aria.

“Your Highness.”

“I thought of walking around the streets and visit a restaurant with Shin.”

“Is there anything in what I said that you wish to change?”

Eline was humble and gracious in front of Aria.

Even if she could do almost what she wanted in the la Ville family, she wouldn’t dare to be disrespectful to Aria.

“Hehe, you kids do what you want. Just don’t run away from Peutoa and Kali.”

“Hey, Kali, did you hear that? Don’t let them out of your sight.”

Aria snickered while sending a glance to Kali.

Kali raised her head and rolled her eyes while sending a hateful gaze back at Aria.

“I know.”

Kali raised her eyebrows as she asked.

“Do you think I’m a child?”

“Unlike you, I’m more experienced and know what should be done.”

Aria stared at Kali, looking everywhere on Kali’s body.

“Heh…”

“You look just like a kid, kiddo!”

Kali slowly stood up from her chair, staring back at Aria. Kali’s voice which usually was soft changed into one which came from the deepest part of the abyss.

“Hihi.”

“Do you dare to say that again?”

“HEY, STOP IT!”

Shin roared out loudly when he felt like the atmosphere turning cold again.

How many times is it now?

They are arguing almost every time they have a conversation.

Laura didn’t care and just sat on her chair, she was also getting immune to the in-fighting between Aria and Kali. She did however quickly figure out that the two were on the same wavelength and that they wouldn’t really fight it out.

Peutoa glanced at Kali, Aria and then at Shin in turn. She also didn’t care about the arguing between Aria and Kali.

After Peutoa turned into one of Shin’s Guardians, she has been more attentive on Shin. Peutoa felt the bond between them was turning clearer by the second, she felt that her body was becoming stronger and the deepest part of her – the soul, was changing.

Eline, however, was different, this was the first time she was seeing an argument between two of the strongest being on the continent.

She could feel cold sweat on her back, Eline also sent a glance to Shin, she felt like that Shin was brave that he could even to roar at the two like that. But, she quickly thought that one of them was his mother he hasn’t been with for years and the other one was special.

“Sorry Shin, we won’t do it again.”

Aria apologised quickly.

“Yeah, we won’t do it again.”

Kali repeated Aria’s words while smirking.

When Shin heard the two, he raised his eyebrows and pouted.

“How many times have you two said that?”

“Cough cough.”

Aria coughed while being slightly embarrassed.

“Hihi, we were just having a little fun.”

Kali giggled as she pulled Shin from his chair.

“Let’s go and have some fun out, alright?”

Kali was smiling happily as she held Shin’s left hand.

As she was pulling Shin, Peutoa and Eline followed behind them.

Before they left the courtyard, Kali’s voice was only audible to Aria.

“You don’t have to worry, I won’t let anything happen to him.”

A faint smile appeared on Aria’s face as she glanced towards their back.

She turned around and saw Laura standing behind her.

“We got lots to do, follow me.”

Aria’s voice was indifferent as she tapped the ground and appeared in front of the main palace.

Laura bowed slightly before following Aria.

Outskirts of the Kingdom of Leran

Leo Lenan hovered above the ground and glaring far into the distance.

Behind Leo Lenan, stood dozens of black-clothed men and women.

“Is it time yet?”

Leo Lenan asked with a soft voice, even so, he wasn’t showing any expression on his face.

A female clad in black walked behind him, bowed slightly and said.

“Your Majesty.”

“The intelligence my force found is that they are going all out.”

“What’s your orders?”

The woman stood there waiting for Leo’s orders patiently.

“Hehe…”

Leo Lenan stood there, his eyes were starting to glow red as he gazed into the horizon.

“The clash of monsters, it sounds fun!”

Leo’s voice which was previously soft and indifferent started to become hoarser.

“For too long, I have been sitting around watching their little games unfold!”

Leo’s eyes narrowed as he continued speaking.

“Hehe, let’s catch them unprepared!”

Leo turned around and gazed at the dozens of people clad in dark robes.

“Go to the capital of the Kingdom of Alizad, you know what you have to do.”

Leo glanced at the woman beside him, he grinned wickedly and said.

“Tharia, we will be going to have some fun.”

When he finished speaking, he vanished from his position and flew several kilometres off into the distance.

The female; Tharia, followed Leo without asking any questions.

The dozens of people who were left behind floated above the ground and flew towards the Kingdom of Alizad!

In a faraway place

A person sat on a throne, sitting while looking down, thinking of several matters.

To the right of the throne, stood a table with several pieces of wooden figures.

The person sent a glance at the wooden figures, the person was slightly confused as something was changed.

Hmm…?

What’s going on?

The person stood up abruptly and stared at the figures.

Humph!

Who dares to mess with the scheme I have set up!?

“WHO’S THERE!?”

The person roared out like an ancient beast as the person could feel two humans flying towards the castle.

Capital city of the Kingdom of Alizad

A group of four walked in the middle of the streets.

No one dared to block their paths or speak loudly.

Even those who usually were arrogant didn’t dare to breathe.

The group of four, three of them were females and a boy. One of the females stood right behind the boy, she was wearing a maid outfit. The maid was pretty, but she didn’t show any expression on her face, which made most people afraid of talking to her.

Another girl, she looked to be around 13 or 14. Most people knew her as she was quite famous in the capital, she was the favoured child under the heavens. The whole la Ville family would let her do as she pleases.

But even she couldn’t make those people in the capital afraid…

The last woman, she seemed to be 15. Her hair was purple and she was wearing a red gothic dress.

Most people didn’t know who she was, but they all were slightly oppressed by her aura which leaked out from her.

But even so, the people in the capital would never be afraid of this kind of people.

The one they were all afraid of, was the little boy. He looked only to be around 11 or 12, he was wearing a purple robe which seemed to be made from the best materials. The boy had his arms locked around by two females, he had his eyes closed all the time, but a smile was on his face no matter what.

No matter who inspected the boy, they couldn’t feel any strength from the boy.

The reason they were afraid of the boy was not that of his strength or those three females surrounding him.

It was because of a certain rumour, the lost son of the Von Meria had returned. It was told that the boy was only 11 or 12, he looked fragile and his smile was like one of an angel.

The reason they thought of the boy was the returned son of the Von Meria family, was because of his silver hair, innocent smile, purple robe and the maid which was following him. That was because the maid was wearing the official maid-outfit of the royal family.

The youth in front of them is; Shin Von Meria, the unofficial Crown Prince of Alizad!

No one dared to disturb Shin.

the news was even spread around all over the capital, most of the well-known families wanted to rush over and curry some favour with Shin. That was because most of them knew that the Empress loved Shin with all her heart, if they could get on Shin’s good side, perhaps the Empress would see them in a good light.

But, when they saw the purple haired girl right at his side, they got flabbergasted as they knew that she was the Purple Witch Kali!

None of the great families tried to get close as when they thought of moving, the Purple Witch Kali sent them an ice-cold gaze.

“What’s going on here?”

Two youngsters pushed those in front of them and glanced at the group of four which was looking around.

The one leading seemed to be 18 or 19, he was tall and had a large build. He had golden hair and he had a scabbard hanging on his waist.

The one following was slightly smaller than the one leading, he was usually indifferent to most things, but he looked slightly surprised when he saw Eline.

The two walked in front of the group of four, not letting them pass.

Most of those who were watching the scene wanted to angrily roar at the two for being uncivilized beasts which don’t know what’s best for their own sake!

The one who was leading glanced quickly at Shin and the other three girls, in the end, he stared at Shin.

“What’s your name, punk?”

Shin tilted his head in confusion.

“Me?”

“Who else than you, punk?”

He said arrogantly while staring down at Shin.

“Hmm…”

Before Shin could answer, Kali hummed lightly and said.

“What’s your family name?”

“Humph!”

“My name is Franc Lazar.”

Franc Lazar glanced once again at Shin.

“Punk, my family is one of the Guardian Families, if you don’t want to get hurt, get out of my sight.”

Shin still didn’t answer Franc Lazar, but when he heard his family name, he got slightly annoyed.

He simply ignored Franc and asked casually.

“Peutoa, I have no desire into making dispute for mother. But, how far can I go against the Lazar family?”

The surrounding people were amazed, they understood quickly that the unofficial Crown Prince didn’t like the Lazar family, but was suppressing his anger because of his mother – the Empress!

“Master.”

Peutoa bowed slightly before continuing speaking calmly.

“The Empress will not hinder anything you do, even if one of the Guardian Families were to insult you, you have the right to destroy them.”

Peutoa gazed at Franc Lazar without any expressions.

“Wait, what?”

Franc Lazar was bewildered.

“Mother? Empress?”

At this time, Eline stepped forward and spoke.

“Young Master Franc Lazar, I greet you.”

“You’re that chick from the la Ville family, aren’t you?”

Franc suddenly thought that she looked familiar.

“Yes, I am.”

Eline nodded and said.

“But, that isn’t important right now.”

She glanced at Shin and spoke.

“This ‘punk’ you have been calling, is Shin Von Meria, the returned son of the Empress.”

A surprised expression showed on Franc Lazar’s face.

He tried to step backwards but felt that his whole body was frozen and he couldn’t move a single muscle.

“Hihi, I don’t mind you ignoring me.”

Kali laughed coldly for a second as her aura was like an ancient beast roaring out.

“But, you dared to call him a punk…”

“Who are you!?”

Franc Lazar yelled out in fright.

“Idiot, she’s the Purple Witch Kali!”

Someone in the crowd roared out as he couldn’t handle Franc Lazar’s foolish act.

Franc Lazar’s face turned pale as he glared at Kali.

At the same time, the boy following Franc Lazar stepped forward with a smile and spoke.

“I apologize for Franc’s rudeness.”

“My name is Leonin Flaken, I’m the second son of the Flaken family.”

“Hi, I’m Shin.”

Shin indifferently said his name.

“Crown Prince, may I ask why you aren’t opening your eyes?”

Leonin Flaken asked while slightly raising his eyebrows.

When Leonin Flaken mentioned that, everyone else also remembered that Shin hasn’t opened his eyes since they saw him.

Unfortunately, Franc Lazar couldn’t even glance at Shin as his whole body seemed to be frozen and his eyes were staring at Kali in horror.

What Crown Prince? Sounds weird…

As Shin mumbled in his heart, he wanted to answer Leonin.

But, before he could even open his mouth, a dark aura enveloped the whole capital.

Everyone shuddered as they were in a daze, all they could think of was; being tortured.

“Humph!”

Kali glanced up at the sky as her aura covered Shin and Eline.

Peutoa raised her eyebrows slightly while glancing at the two red-robed men. She tapped the ground lightly as she jumped a hundred meters above the ground.

Peutoa could do so because she could entrust Shin to Kali.

“Hehe, Knight, we found the target first!”

The man on the left snickered as he glared at Shin before glancing at Peutoa.

“Spider, don’t underestimate them.”

Knight spoke casually as he glanced at Kali who was releasing her aura.

“We barely managed to get in here without the Guardian of Fate noticing us, the Child of God should have more protectors.”

Knight licked his lips as he glanced at Peutoa’s unchanging expression.

“Hehe, I will allow you survive if you bring us the Child of God.”

Peutoa didn’t answer, she only opened both of her arms as two black daggers appeared, they were both curved inwards.

“You want me to betray my Master?”

She asked lightly, but her voice contained unimaginable rage which was bursting like lava.

Peutoa didn’t wait for his answer as she appeared right behind him with her dagger slashing through his neck.

In a faraway place

Leo Lenan flew towards a palace with Tharia behind him as they heard a roar.

“WHO’S THERE!?”

“Heh, seems like we’re at the right place.”

Leo Lenan said softly while glancing at the palace.

Leo and Tharia saw a person covered in a red robe slowly ascending from the palace.

They could feel the person’s rage and corrupt aura just by being several kilometres away from the palace.

“Humph, so it really was you.”

Leo’s voice was low but the person in red could hear it even if they were several kilometres apart.

“Or should I call you Guardian of Death!?”

“How do you know my title?”

The person clad in red – Guardian of Death, asked with an annoyed tone.

“I know more than that, but sadly you won’t be able to hear them.”

Leo Lenan glanced at Guardian of Death calmly.

The change in the pieces was because of this person?

Guardian of Death thought for a moment before speaking.

“Haha, thank you for coming into my nest, you can leave your secrets here when you die.”

“Are you dumb or something?”

Leo Lenan gazed at Guardian of Death shockingly.

“Do you actually think I would show up here if I didn’t know I could win?”

“Humph!”

Guardian of Death simply raised one hand up, as it was raised a black sun covered the whole area.

Leo and Tharia felt they were being oppressed by the black sun, feeling their own power being drained.

“Hmm… slightly more powerful than I thought.”

Leo calmly spoke before he extended his right arm out.

What appeared in Leo’s right arm was a brown gourd, Leo smirked as he glanced at Guardian of Death.

The Kingdom of Alizad

The capital

Peutoa drew her dagger across Knight’s throat, the onlookers could only see that Knight’s lifeless body falling from the sky.

“YOU!!”

Spider roared as he took out a longsword, trying to stab Peutoa with a swift motion.

Peutoa didn’t care and she used the dagger in her left hand to block it casually.

“Hmm… why are you so weak?”

Spider glared at Peutoa, his bones in his arms started to crack. Spider narrowed his eyes and asked Peutoa a question.

“Why is an Early-Half-Divinity Stage cultivator like you helping that child!?”

Half-Divinity Stage?

Peutoa was slightly baffled that the enemy would think of her as a Half-Divinity Stage cultivator.

Is it because of me being Shin’s Guardian?

Peutoa thought that was the best explanation, but she didn’t tell the enemy that. She wasn’t stupid enough to reveal that she was one of Shin’s Guardians.

Hihi…

Being one of his Guardians did certainly change her!

Kali thought while glancing at Peutoa overpowering the enemy.

Outskirts of the Kingdom of Alizad

“Sigh…”

Hath Kagatsu sighed deeply as he stared into the horizon, seeing hundreds of shadows flying towards him.

Hath drew his bloodied sword and glanced at the shadows with eyes filled with hatred and determination!

The Kingdom of Alizad

The Palace

“Is it ready yet?”

Aria’s voice sounded out as she impatiently glanced at Laura.

“Haa haa…”

Laura breathed deeply with sweat running down her face.

A smirk appeared on her face as she tried to laugh.

“Haha, it’s time for the hunter to become hunted!”

Laura’s aura which she has been holding in was released all at once.

A black gate appeared out of nowhere, it was five meters tall and two meters wide.

Aria didn’t wait for a second before leaping into the gate.

After Aria entered it, Laura followed in.

As the two disappeared, the black gate vanished into thin air.

In a faraway place

“Humph!”

Guardian of Death was slightly shocked seeing the brown gourd in Leo’s hand.

“Do you think that’s enough? Let’s have some more fun!”

Guardian of Death’s body turned dark as everything was being drained.

Leo Lenan’s face turned ashen as he saw the change in Guardian of Death’s body.

Even the ever calm Tharia was dumbfounded as her face turned pale.

“Y-YOU!!”

Leo screamed in agony as he glared at Guardian of Death.

A world deep inside of Shin’s body

Thirteen statues were shining brightly, even the light-yellow one started to become brighter by the seconds.

“It seems like the newest Guardian will awaken shortly. Seems like a good timing.”

Ker’Vrak casually spoke.

“Has anyone felt her power on the continent yet?”

Kuugo suddenly asked as he was thinking of something.

“Who, the new Guardian?”

Mekina asked back in return as she glanced at the light-yellow glowing statue.

“No, not the newest Guardian.”

Kuugo stopped for a second before continuing with a deep voice.

“The zeroth Guardian…”

“Humph!”

“Don’t say her name in front of me!”

Kira said in a cold voice as anger could be sensed from his voice.

“She actually dared to backstab us!”

“Stop!”

Ker’Vrak roared out, stopping them for arguing.

“Have you or have you not felt her power!?”

Kira waited for a couple of seconds before answering.

“I have…”

Where?”

Kuugo asked swiftly with a nervous tone.

“Humph!”

“Where do you think?”

Kira’s voice was still cold as he still answered Kuugo’s question.

“The castle we made together, she’s still there.”