Chapter 418 - 413 — Talk

Chapter 418: Chapter 413 — Talk

Unfortunately, given that Zephyrion needed Nourald as a source of information, he had little choice but to tag along. He followed Nourald and a few others to one of the many caves carved into the mountain, where loud music echoed through the air, colorful lights illuminated the surroundings, and Aerelith danced about merrily.

Drinks were in almost every hand, lively conversations filled the air, and groups of people danced around blazing bonfires. It was a full-blown party.

’What in the world...?’

To throw a party of this magnitude on the very day they’d been told their freedom was over was nothing short of insane.

Beside him, Nourald grinned.

"Why the long face, brother? Have you forgotten how we Aerelith deal with stress? Besides, with what’s waiting for us tomorrow, I’d say a little celebration is exactly what we need!"

Zephyrion’s eyes sharpened.

’What’s waiting for us tomorrow?’

Before he could ask, Nourald burst into laughter and hurried off to join the festivities.

"Come on, brother! Loosen up a little! You only live once!"

Zephyrion was left standing alone, a deep frown on his face. A moment later, he shook his head.

’How are they even getting away with this?’

They’d passed through several hidden entrances to get here, but Zephyrion wasn’t foolish enough to believe a gathering of this scale could take place without those powerful bastion masters knowing about it.

’They know about it... and they’re actually allowing it?’

It was a far cry from any Ferran bastion. Being caught doing something like this would warrant severe punishment. It seemed the Aerelith were far more lenient than he’d initially thought.

Though, on second thought, it made sense. Their preferred way of coping with stress was to indulge in activities that reinforced their elemental emotion, freedom. Where Ferrans would train harder and push themselves to their limits to strengthen their resolve, Aerelith would throw a party.

Still, Zephyrion was more concerned about something else. Something Nourald had said earlier had caught his attention.

’Just what is supposed to happen tomorrow...?’

’Who gives a damn about tomorrow?!’

Demorian emerged from the rod, his eyes practically sparkling with delight as he took in the lively scene.

’Look around you, protégé! Booze! Women! Drunk women! Hahaha! Is there anything more beautiful in this world than a drunk, horny woman?!’

’I’m not here to party.’

The excitement on Demorian’s face vanished instantly, replaced by an expression of utter horror.

’No, no, no! Protégé, don’t you dare! Do you have any idea how many poor souls would kill to be in our position right now? The heavens will never forgive us if we squander such a glorious opportunity!’

’Then I suppose I’ll have to live with their disappointment.’

Demorian’s expression darkened considerably. However, just as he seemed about to launch into another tirade, something occurred to him, and a sly smile slowly spread across his face.

’Hehehe... Alright, fine. But what about our little agreement, hm? Surely you haven’t forgotten your promise to talk to Joy?’

Seeing the smug look on Demorian’s face, Zephyrion sighed.

’Fine. A deal’s a deal. Now, where is—’

’There! Right over there! Hahaha! This ancestor has already found her!’

As expected of the perverted ancestor, he’d already spotted his target. Joy stood with another Aerelith woman and a man, giggling at whatever the latter was saying.

’Might as well get this over with.’

Without wasting any more time, Zephyrion began making his way towards them.

’Alright, protégé, listen carefully, because I’m only going to say this once! The hour of divine judgment is upon us! Now, observe that fellow beside her. See how he’s trying to make her laugh? Hmph! An amateur trying to steal a treasure right beneath this ancestor’s nose! Listen, you need to make her realize you’re a far better man than him, but without looking desperate or showing off. Understand? Just follow my lead, and victory is assured! Now, eyes forward, chest out, shoulders back...’

Demorian sounded so serious that anyone listening would think they were discussing a matter of life and death.

Meanwhile, Zephyrion barely paid attention to a word the ancestor said. The truth was, he already knew exactly what he was going to do. For a moment, he even felt a little pity for the old man, but then he remembered that Demorian was a perverted old bastard with practically no respect for women, and whatever sympathy he’d felt immediately vanished.

"Hm? Isn’t that the Gular...?"

As expected, the conversation immediately died down the moment he approached them. All three turned to stare at him curiously, but Zephyrion ignored their gazes and focused his attention on Joy.

In truth, she was quite beautiful, despite her rather loose reputation. She was of average height, with a well endowed figure accentuated by tight fitting clothes that left little to the imagination. Her face was soft and slightly plump, with a faint blush coloring her cheeks. She possessed a sensual allure that would have been enough to stir the desires of most men. But Zephyrion wasn’t most men.

He looked her straight in the eye and said,

"Hey."

Joy blinked, gave him a quick once-over, her gaze lingering briefly on his muscular frame, before a charming smile spread across her face.

"Hey~. You’re Azrahel, right? I’ve heard about you. Nice to finally meet you."

"Likewise."

Joy smiled sweetly and waited for him to continue, but as far as Zephyrion was concerned, their conversation was already over.

"Well then, see you around."

"Huh? Wait, what are you—"

Zephyrion turned around and walked away without another word. Even as he put some distance between them, he could practically feel their bewildered gazes boring into his back. However, none of them were nearly as shocked as the ancestor.

"E-erm... protégé? What... what the hell was that?"

Zephyrion smiled faintly.

’What do you mean? You wanted me to talk to her, didn’t you? Well, I did.’

’No, no, no, no, no! Protégé, you can’t be serious! What kind of heartless monster does something like that?! Even the heavens would weep at such cruelty!’

Demorian emerged from the rod and stared at him with wide, trembling eyes, looking as though he’d just suffered the greatest betrayal of his life.

’A deal’s a deal, remember?’

’A deal’s a deal... What? No! No, you little bastard! That’s not what we agreed on! You were supposed to talk Joy into giving us some joy!’

’You asked me to talk to her. I talked to her. What’s the problem?’

’P-protégé, please! Have a heart! You can’t just leave this ancestor hanging like this! I beg you, just—’

’I believe I already have.’

The left side of Demorian’s face began twitching uncontrollably. Then, after a moment of stunned silence, he slowly clenched both fists, his expression turning unusually solemn.

’Mark my words, protégé, you’ll regret this! One day, you’ll look back upon this very moment and curse your own foolishness! You dared to trample upon this ancestor’s dignity and snatch away the happiness that was rightfully his! The heavens themselves shall bear witness to your crime! Divine retribution will descend upon you, and when that day comes, you’ll crawl before me, begging for forgiveness! But I shall show you no mercy! You’ll—’

’You really do talk too much.’

Zephyrion waved his hand dismissively and forced him back into the rod. A moment later, however, a slight frown appeared on his face.

’...Was that a little too cruel?’

The ancestor had seemed unusually serious just now. Zephyrion considered it for a moment before shrugging.

’Nah. He’ll get over it.’

After all, this was Demorian they were talking about. Since when did the old man take anything seriously?

Zephyrion quickly dismissed the thought, resolving to speak with the ancestor later. For now, he had more important matters to attend to. He needed to gather information.

’Now then... where’s that fellow?’

His gaze swept across the bustling party, searching through the crowd, and it wasn’t long before he spotted his target.