Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

Chapter 277: A Strange Proposition - Mysterious Duo!

Asura stood stunned, watching Ignis slowly rise from the ground. He couldn't believe such a strange thing—a little joke about her tattoo—would make her so passionate suddenly.

"Asura Fenix, my master, our entire 7th Elite unit is all from my family's bloodline. Thus, we will serve you with our hearts and souls until the day our bodies break!"

This news was something Asura didn't know. Each unit of Valkyrie shared the same blood. How they were born or got so many high-level warriors from the same bloodline intrigued Asura, but he would wait until the right time to ask.

"Wait a minute, you don't have to break. I need you all to live for a long time."

"Ah!? Such a compassionate and caring master!"

The wings on his back fluttered because of his feelings of embarrassment at how seriously Ignis acted because of his little joke.

However, it was too late to take things back.

It seemed Ignis would deliver the news about him to the entire unit when she returned. Thus, he could only accept this fate and instead use it to his benefit.

'The more I devote to myself, the fewer questions and resistance I'll get when acting in the future.'

"Where are you all stationed?"

"Lyndwyrm Fort is where most of my sisters are currently guarding. During the last conflict, they dispatched us to the territory, and we soon received the news of our transfer."

"I see. How many of you are currently in the capital?"

"Thirteen, all have been guarding you from the moment you arrived at the palace, and we will follow you almost anywhere from now on."

"Make sure you rotate your shifts and take breaks. I would hate for you girls to break down or get exhausted."

"Yes, Master!!"

Ignis seemed to want to remain with Asura all night, but he asked her to give him some time alone. He gave up and stated she could protect him from a distance outside his ability to sense her.

Despite this, with her nearly five hundred metres away, Asura could still sense all thirteen of them, which were in various directions.

He couldn't tell their exact location, but he had an accurate idea of their direction and approximate distance from himself. It wasn't the first time he'd noticed this and wondered why it was possible.

Though Ignis revealed their secret too soon... as he looked at the silver ring now etched into his finger with the same sword as before. This allows them to mask their aura, magic and presence from those who have no direct relation to them.

.net

Other than the queen and royal family, nobody owns such a privilege.

'I can summon them all using this and also punish them if they do wrong... It's such a foreign thing. I never knew in the past.'

[Asura~ are you busy? I am bored. The goblins don't help me grow anymore and they've started running the moment I appear! I miss you, so come to my room soon and play?]

[Of course, things here are very busy, but I promise to come soon.]

[Hehe~ I am happy! Ah, Spica also seems to miss you; what did you do to her? She hates others normally!]

[We just played a game and got to know each other very well.]

[Hmph! I am not jealous, not one bit!]

Alan used his high wit to help Grom'Gaius, realising that the orcs were more noble than he realised, learning the truth of their assault and that most of the women and children still lived without harm.

"That's impossible!? How do they move it every few days?" Grom roared while covering his face with his huge palms.

A feeling of despair filled his heart. After all, his young son and daughter were back home, and the image of them taking this vile potion that would empower a person for several hours before destroying their muscles and bones forever.

"They use magical devices known as portals, which influence space itself and allow rapid transportation between the two locations."

Alan held a small notepad, these notes gathered by his strange and talented maid, who could use a rare element for rapid travel and to mask her existence.

"I think she will soon come back once we contact another kingdom. There should be hope of solving this situation. Do you know how many orcs have left your side and joined the cult? We have to make the betrayal and loss convincing to save your wife and children."

"...."

"More than half have deserted, now slaves of the cult."

Grom closed his eyes and couldn't stop his tears from falling on the ground, his rage making his hands shake.

"Tell me more about your goddess. Can a goddess save her people from suffering, or do they silently watch us from above with delight?"

Alan could tell the orc suffered, but he didn't reply.

He didn't have the answer, and the goddess's knowledge had long faded from the world. However, there might be some truth in what the orc believed.

The gods didn't care about the lowly people down in the lower realms because there were things even further above that took their attention away.

"Grom, I cannot speak for any goddess or higher power. But I can speak for myself. You showed me the honour and saved my people, then I will fight to save yours as your defeated general."

"Alan. You fought with honour and would've won that war if your people didn't betray the kingdom. It is sad, but we fought a disgraceful battle because of the cult's orders. Orcs revel in fair, brute combat against their enemies, and this isn't the Orcs' way."

"You truly think so?"

"Yes, I've learnt much about humans during the previous war and speaking with you. In truth, they're no different from orcs, from goblins. We all love, fight for what we love and want to cherish our homes."

'Do you miss me, my love? Are our children fine... that man, I will kill him even if our tribe has to start from a hovel once again! This I, Grom'Gaius, son of Grom'Brutus, swear!'

Grom stood upon the stone window, looking into the sky while searching for stars similar to those in his homeland. He thought of his beloved and their clan, who used to live such a frugal life before the cultists came and ruined that happiness.

"Alan. What will the cult do when they capture Maria Svesta?"

"As an enemy of the cult, I do not know. But I fear they will probably torture and then execute her for show. That bastard Alistair Crowley already sent their son to death, and the cult brainwashes her."

"Alan... Is that woman the one you love?"

"Is it obvious? Me and Maria grew up as close friends, but because of my older cousin Bill, our relationship became sour, and the next time we met, she acted as if we were strangers... It took me over ten years to find the proof of the cult's actions, but it was too late. You attacked before I could even prepare to confront Alistair, haha."

"Understood. I will make her appear dead. So the cult abandons her, and you will have the chance to meet her once more."

"Grom..."

"Allan, we can only change the future of our people with actions rather than words. I want to understand you, who I blindly saw as my enemy without reason."

"Me too, Grom. Let us try our best for a better world."