202 Diving into the wolf’s Den (1/2)

While the sight of Konrad's purple hues captivated Lena's eyes, his lips curled into a smile.

”In that case, allow me to say that you look ravishing.”

With a bright smile, Lena curtsied.

”Thank you, protector.”

”Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, may I know why you wish to meet me in the dark of night?”

Konrad asked, his jesting tone replaced by a serious, inquisitive one.

”I wanted to apologize, and if possible, dispel our misunderstandings.”

Lena politely replied, with her fingers crossed and her breasts squeezed between her arms. Thus, enhancing her cleavage's view. Still, Konrad's eyes didn't shift from hers.

”Oh? Please elaborate.”

”During the banquet, I didn't mean to antagonize you. I hope you can understand that both my father's life and my country's reputation were at stake. Therefore, I could only adopt that stance.”

She began in an apologetic tone, and Konrad nodded.

”Moreover, though narrow-minded, my father is, after all, a seasoned cultivator with more than one thousand years of experience and centuries of reign. Even if he wished to poison you, there is no way he could have used something as strong and instantaneous as what caused my second brother's death.

Therefore, in one way or another, someone anticipated his move and tempered with your plate, hoping to blow the matter into what it currently is. That much is a fact.”

Lena added while seeking answers within Konrad's gaze. But she was disappointed to see that no ripple flashed on his face.

According to her mother, Augusta, and her own observations, Konrad was the most likely culprit. How he accomplished it, however, was what they failed to understand.

Again, Konrad nodded. His smiling face undisturbed.

”I naturally understand these truths. But as a Holy Flame Dignitary, I have my country's face to preserve. Using such opportunities to wrest more benefits is how politics is conducted. As our future crown princess and empress, I hope you can learn from this event, and avoid falling into such traps in the future.”

With a gracious bow, Konrad turned heels, startling Lena who'd not expected such a prompt departure. Men usually battled for the opportunity to admire her from afar. Why was it that this one looked so unimpressed by her charms?

Before Konrad could take another step, she held onto his sleeve.

”Please wait. As part of my apology, I wish to show you the royal palace's attractions.”

”Oh? Sure thing. After you, then.”

Konrad replied while freeing himself from her grasp.

Taking the lead, Lena led him through the royal palace. Though they seemed to be at a walking pace, their speed had already surpassed fifty kilometers per second. With a few steps, they arrive at one location which Lena would jovially introduce before moving toward another one.

This carried on until they dived into the inner court and stopped before the five meter's tall statue of a riveting woman holding a vase from which water poured into the fountain below.

Seeing that woman, Konrad was startled while Lena's eyes shone with adoration.

”Does the lord protector recognize this woman?”

”How could I not? Throughout the Holy Continent, who doesn't know the face of the Celestial Church's Founder?”

”And do you know her background?”

Konrad shook his head, his ignorance brightening Lena's smile who stepped closer toward him before carrying on.

”Though our ancestor's position in the Celestial Church was quite low, we, after all, originate from there. Therefore, I know a bit about the Celestial Founder's background.

Her name was Isylia. From her mother, she descends from the Warden while her father is an existence that in his time shook the Celestial Realm: The Great Primal Ancestor, founder of righteous dual cultivation.”

Konrad's eyes shone with surprise.

”Her story is a tragic one. Though born with incomparable beauty, talent, and status, she failed to fulfill the most elementary of a woman's heart's desires: To bring her love story to a good end.

She fell for the most overbearing of the Infernal Realm's Seven Stars: The Infernal Founder, Marduk. A pity that their forbidden union not only bore fruits but caused her father's demise.”

Again, Konrad's eyes widened.

”The Great Primal Ancestor is…dead?”

Lena nodded.

”If Marduk received the Overlord's protection, the same couldn't be said for lady Isylia. In such matters, women always carry the most blame. Leading gods of the Celestial Realm and members of the Warden's house were adamant on putting her to death.

The Great Primal Ancestor single-handedly battled all those mighty gods, and killed many of them, making God-Blood drench the Celestial Realm's sky.

And thus, forcing the Warden to make an appearance. While the Great Primal Ancestor was an existence on the Cardinal Lords and Infernal Kings' level, before the Warden, he could raise no storm.

Still, since he was born from Heaven's Origin, the Warden couldn't kill him without repercussions. Meanwhile, the Overlord's shelter of the Infernal Founder elicited outrage from many mighty infernal figures. And for some reason, Marduk went mad and attempted to kill the Southern King, Talroth's eldest son and head of the Seven Infernal Stars: Malkam.

Thus, antagonizing Talroth who'd remained neutral till that point.