Silverbell reasoned, "We should just stay out of this, or you will be tried for treason if the deal goes south and the spitron vein really falls into foreign hands.""Me, tried for treason?"Mickus stared at Silverbell in disbelief, but he soon reared his head and laughed. "Lady Silverbell, oh mighty chief of the Martial Alliance… you're really getting smarter with words now. Isn't that man your fiance? Aren't you just trying to protect him by lying to me? And do you think I'm some clueless toddler?"Even as they argued, Mobius frowned. "Silverbell? Chief of the Martial Alliance?"Frank cursed Mickus under his breath—there would be unnecessary trouble if Silverbell's position as the chief of the Martial Alliance was exposed. Not only would Mobius get suspicious, but they would also have trouble tracking down the heretical geomancer!To no surprise, Mobius smiled and shook his head at Frank. "I think you should really sort out your domestic issues before coming to me, Mr. Lawrenc
"Hah!" Mickus snorted. "This is just a perfectly normal deal. Also, you're only the chief of the Martial Alliance because you used your body to pleasure many bigwigs, no? Why else would someone like you get to be the chief of the Martial Alliance?"While Mickus' mockery left Silverbell bristling, Frank remained impassive as he held up three fingers and counted. "Three.""What, are you for real?"Mickus was actually surprised that Frank was counting down but soon snorted in contempt. "I pity you, having a whore as a fiancee. Who knows how many men she's had to spread her legs for—"Smack! Frank had suddenly slapped Mickus across the face so quickly he could barely see it, shutting him up."One." He counted at the same time amid the ensuing silence."What…"Touching his burning cheek, Mickus' expression alternated from disbelief to flushed fury. "You… hit me?! With that dirty paw of yours?! Don't you know who I am?! Even my father has never slapped me!"He bellowed as if craz
Watching as Frank slowly walked toward himself, terror struck Mickus' heart."Stop! Don't move!" he shrieked. "I-I'm warning you… I'm the heir to Clear Winds Pavilion! If you lay a finger on me, my father will make you pay, you hear?! He's Ascendant rank, and he—"Smack!Naturally, Mickus' threat was pointless as Frank slapped him viciously across the face again once he got near, knocking out almost every tooth."On your knees. Apologize," he growled, impassive.Mickus was left clutching his cheek and staring at Frank in disbelief.Although there was no emotion on his face, the coldness in Frank's eyes left Mickus shivering.He realized that Frank might be some novice who did not care about his threats and would keep hitting him if he threatened him again.After fighting with himself inwardly, Mickus turned with a conflicted look toward Silverbell, mumbling through his lips, "I-I'm sorry, Lady Silverbell—""On your knees!" Frank snapped coldly behind him."What…" Mickus fel
"What?!"Azar was left stunned by his son's complaint.He was naturally aware of Mickus' hedonistic lifestyle. And since the boy did not take his training seriously, he had to send over a dozen Clear Winds Pavilion elites as his escort.However, those elites were still the best among Birthright ranks! They did not even last a blow against some outsider and were instead left completely incapacitated?!While Azar was spacing out, however, the youth beside him strode up just then."Heh. Long time no see, Frank," he greeted.Beside him, Azar did a double take when he realized that the youth was acquisitioned with the rogue who hurt his son and finally turned to look at Frank."Titus."Frank remained impassive as he mentioned the youth's name.After all, it was none other than the eldest son in the Lionheart family, Titus Lionheart.And it was surprising that he would show up here… or perhaps not.If anything, Frank was just surprised that Titus was here personally, whereas the L
In fact, Frank and Titus could well be enemies.In that case, Azar had brought many of his men from Clear Winds Pavilion.With Azar's strength on top of that, taking down Frank could not have been easier.So why would Titus call for a retreat now?However, as the chief of Clear Winds Pavilion, he naturally would not disobey the Lionhearts.Azar had questions, but he respectfully led his men and followed Titus out of the hotel restaurant."Mr. Lionheart…""I know what you're going to ask."Titus chuckling, shaking his head before Azar could finish his question. "But now's not the time to do it. You and the people you've brought are no match for him.""What? No way!"Mickus was left gaping in shock before his father could speak. "Mr. Lionheart, Clear Winds Pavilion is sending everyone for this! It's not just our four Ascendant-ranked guardians—my father is right here, and he's halfway through the Ascendant rank!"And there are countless Clear Winds Pavilion apprentices waiting
Silverbell continued, "As for the Turnbulls' lost spiritron vein, only you and the higher-ups of the Martial Alliance should be aware about it, and no one else—not even the Lionhearts. So…""So the Lionhearts being here proves that the rumors are true."Frank raised a brow and finished it for her. "The rogue Turnbull executive was trying to defect to the Lionheart family, or they wouldn't have known."Silverbell nodded, looking at Frank in approval—he was always sharp. Still, she was soon hesitant. "However, that also begs another question—it's been a week since the Turnbulls have lost their spiritron vein. If the rogue Turnbull executive really wanted to defect to the Lionhearts, why would the spiritron vein show up in the hands of a foreign businessman instead?"Frank was wondering about that too, and it was a question that left both him and Silverbell stumped.Eventually, he frowned and suggested, "Knowing the Lionhearts, negotiations with the rogue Turnbull executive must ha
Silverbell breathed a deep sigh, shaking her head as she looked into thin air and reminisced. "But I don't doubt it after I saw it with my own eyes. It's an unbelievable power that seems endless, and it's completely different from Draconian martial arts."Therefore, I won't recommend getting involved with Yohan Bozad before we understand what he truly is. Even the Martial Alliance has labeled him as untouchable.""I see," Frank replied, rubbing his chin.Godforce sounded quite interesting, and while he wondered how those foreigners wielded it, he asked, "Do you think Mr. Mobius could wield godforce too? He did say that he's a servant to Yohan Bozad, so that's probably the case?"Silverbell was surprised by Frank's question, since that had never crossed her mind.And now that Frank had mentioned it, she actually found it very likely.Still, she warned, "You should be careful when you contact Mr. Mobius, Frank. Our martial arts might prove ineffective against their so-called godfor
Frank and Silverbell arrived at the hotel banquet hall at 3 PM as agreed.Amid the dim glow, Frank was not surprised to see Titus Lionheart seated on an elegant armchair. Azar Salor, the chief of Clear Winds Pavilion, was by his side.And on the other end was a young woman with twintails and who appeared to be in her twenties, appearing bored as she sat on the couch, swiping on her phone. Two black-clad martial elites stood beside her, clearly her bodyguards.Frank could tell right away that they were from the military, with the disciplined manner in which they stood, along with the hint of bloodlust that could not be hidden entirely.After all, Frank had seen many such men in his childhood, still under the care of his father, the Lord of the Southern Woods."You're as slow as a snail. How annoying."Nonetheless, as soon as the young woman saw Frank enter, she finally lowered her phone and leveled him a look of irritation.Frank could tell that the young woman was talking to h