Chapter 231 - The Champion's Proposal
Faye sent out several powerful binding wind magic that constrained her brother and sisters, who were about to attack Kyros.
"Stop!" Faye shouted.
"Argh!"
"Sister!"
The Champions complained, but the binding attack had already wrapped around them that they could not move.
"Show them the book! No! Allow Demerus to see one page! This one!" Faye urged.
Kyros nodded.
"Show it to him." Kyros allowed.
Faye headed to Demerus, who was the male champion, and revealed the page.
"What sorcery is this? I will not be swayed by your hypnosis! The magical theory of controlling Lightning?!" He then saw the title and was immediately immersed.
"Sisters! A single page of these books will change your cultivation!" Faye declared.
"We have been thought that wind is an element that is generated through the capturing of the wind around us and contains it so we can use it to attack. But this book can teach how to convert magic energy into the wind! And the effects are amazing! The standard measurement of our kingdom teaches that creating wind energy is costly. One standard dunamis of Wind energy is equal to two Magic points! But we are so wrong! If we follow the guide, we can create ten dunamis of wind energy! And what's more, the book claims that the energy of wind is even stronger! As proof, look at the wind rope that I am using to bind you! Isn't it stronger than your versions?" Faye pointed out.
The rest of the Champions then noticed it. However, Demerus was still immersed in his reading.
"This is how lightning is formed?! But I don't understand! What is Elemental Alignment?"
"It's in this book." Kyros then revealed another set of books.
"This book contains what Elemental Alignments are. The rest teaches basic knowledge of how to harness it. This lesson is what sets us apart from the people born in the Midlands and the Highlands." Kyros displayed.
"Great Sage Kyros, please show my sisters books pertaining to Fire, Earth, and Water," Faye asked.
"Alright." Kyros then waved his hands, and three books floated towards them.
Faye caught it and handed one book to one of his sisters.
The moment they read it, they also fell into a trance.
Faye had then unbound her magic on the group.
"Where's the rest of this?! Why can't I see the next page?!" Demerus shouted.
"As I said... I am the Lord of the Library. You can only read the pages I allow you to read. If you want more information, fight for it and help us. I will grant you access to more pages depending on your contribution." Kyros answered.
"Pages?! Just pages?! You are employing the works of Champions!" Demerus reacted.
"Really? Not a very strong Champion, if you ask me. After all, my uncle's attack forced you to get serious. And I'm sure you've noticed that he is but a Captain." Kyros chuckled.
"Not to mention that my rough estimate of this book... can bring us all at least, to a Commander's level. And if we follow the teachings of this book, we can match Commanders of the Midlands." Branze interrupted as he kept reading the book.
The Mages were driven out of their immersion as all the words in the books disappeared, and slowly, the books themselves disappeared.
"Where is it?!" One of the mages cried out.
"Serve me, and I'll let you read it."
"But... but... That man and that one are reading all the words of the book!" One of the mages accused as she pointed to Branze and Mezal, who was immersed in reading.
"That's my grandfather and father. It's only natural that they can read that book!"
Martha and Myas approached Kyros.
"Are there any books about archery?" They asked.
Kyros willed it, and a book appeared.
"Don't get too caught up. We will be fighting in forty or so minutes."
"Yes, Lord Kyros." Martha bowed.
"Um... Hi Martha." Aron shyly introduced to the side.
"Hey..." Martha blushed.
"Jeez. Focus you too." Diana shook his head.
"Son, are there any books about light cultivation? I went ahead and browsed the library at the back but found none."
"Oh. For some reason, everything about basic cultivation except light cultivation is in those books." Kyros answered.
"Why?"
"The Temple seems to have a special Library for that called the Library of Light. But if we complete this tribulation, we may unlock it. But the theories in Force Energy can greatly help you." Kyros explained as he brought out two books. One was given to Martha, and another to Diana.
The Champions watched in green envy. Their eyes were locked on the titles of that book.
"I see. Then I guess we have to swiftly clear this trial. After that, I will be meditating in the Light." Diana added.
"Diana..." Branze suddenly called out.
"If- If you want... I can go over some of the notes I wrote about what I understood in the Light." Branze shyly commented.
"Why are you still calling me Diana? Am I not your wife?" Diana smiled and continued to move.
"Let's go, husband. I can't wait to listen to your wisdom." Diana added.
"Ye-yes!" Branze followed.
Martha and Aron shook their heads at how Diana acted in hypocrisy.
"It seems the Steele family is also cursed to have wives of strong and stubborn personality." Mezal laughed.
Kyros was silent, but he was smiling as he observed the interaction of his parents. The situation was not enough to dampen their hearts towards each other, but they were suddenly acting with public displays of affection.
"They weren't as open in their feelings to each other like it was in my timeline. It's good that I broke the ice as early as now. Otherwise, the frost would have made it more difficult to thaw the ways they would treat and show their love for each other." Kyros thought to himself.
"I still haven't explained the strange anomaly that made all of the creation rejoice at their wedding. Not to mention how that marriage brought about this curse." Calaminus added.
"We'll figure it out next time."
"Grand Master of the Library... What if we become part of your Steele family?"
"It's not that simple." Kyros shook his head.
"The Steele Family is bound by a great curse. All these slaves and knights that you see before us are somehow bound to us in Fate. No one can easily claim to be a Steele Family, and we can't give it out. The recent slaves that you brought along with Aunt Martha have officially become part of the Steele family, but the cost for them to enter is so high." Kyros had learned of the deaths of various slaves that Martha had to devour for their survival.
"In short, this tribulation can help us find out if you are indeed a Steele family as the battle can bind our Fates. But of course, I can perceive through a power called Foresight and Molding that it also depends in your heart and willingness to join us."
"And apart from that... I get to decide whether someone is a Steele." Mezal joined in.
"Yes. That too." Kyros smiled.
"Then what if we force a bond?" Faye asked,
"Force a Bond?"
"Marry me!" Faye asked Kyros.
"WHAT THE FRAGMENT?!" Scarlet erupted.
Even Mezal was caught off guard.
"Ma-Marry? Sister?! Are you mad?!" One of the female champions shouted.
"Mad? Those books can throw me into a Commander level! And I would have the power that would be considered as a Cardinal in the Lowlands? So what if it's madness! Lord Kyros Steele, I humbly ask for your hand in marriage!"
"The fragment!" Kyros explained.
"Listen, lady. I'm not into that kind of a... relationship." Kyros gave a disgusted reply.
The champion was as old as his father! Although Kyros lived a longer life, he was reborn, and the love of his life was listening.
"Stupid sister! Can't you see how inappropriate your request is?!" Demerus asked.
"Lord Kyros, if you are not attracted to beauties like my sister, who has top class and even a calamitous level of beauty, then perhaps I can satisfy you. Marry me!" Demerus declared.
"..."
"..."
"..."
A lot of horrified faces were revealed.
"Gojirrah. Reptilia. Beat up that guy!" Kyros ordered.
"Oh? Are you into that as well? So be it! We were meant to be! Come at me, lizards! Let us satisfy your master!" Demerus expressed.
"As well?" Avary, Gregory, and Hunter echoed the odd statement of the Champion. What did he mean by 'as well?'
"Lord Kyros. I don't want to beat him up." Gojirrah complained.
"Me too," Reptilia added.