An hour later the former princess strolled back into the room alone. She had a satisfied smile on her dark pink lips. Without saying a word, she claimed her problematic brother's seat and began helping herself to the food on the table. Red irises observed the sleeping duo cuddled into the young master's chest. After a few minutes, her gaze wandered to the warrior pair who she knew had caused issues for the God of Love the last time they met. Weren't they a threat? Why was no one saying anything? Was there a reason that they were still here? Her eyes then moved to a blonde who was attentively watching the 18 years old while fidgeting with the sword in her lap.
"Young Master Cale."
Sharp red-browns turned to look at her. Anyone could tell he was exhausted.
"Will you be able to visit with the rest of your kids today?"
Stoically, the deity nodded before replying.
"I promised them I would. As long as I'm careful, I should be fine to go into the city later."
<There's things that I'll need to do tonight while everyone else is sleeping.>
Brushing raven colored bangs out of the four years old's face, he felt a tingling on his neck which caused him to peek over at his unofficial father. There was a frightening benign smile on the head of the Molan Household's face.
<S***! Papa's mad...>
Averting his gaze, the redhead decided to change the focus of the conversation by inquiring.
"Jack. Hannah. Would you be interested in accompanying us when we go?"
<They could meet the children and get to know them in advance to tomorrow's incident.>
Two sets of eyes widened in surprise. The older twin's sparkled in excitement.
-Accompanying a God? Really? What an honor!
-Isn't this a tad suspicious? Is he planning to monitor me and Oppa?
<Considering you know my secret and are associated with Arm... Yes. I want to make sure you haven't revealed my identity to those bastards.>
Placing her cup of tea down onto the table in front of her, the Queen of the Jungle asked.
"Could I come with you as well?"
Instantly, her two guards looked at her in shock. Even if he was their savior, going into a highly populated area in another Kingdom was extremely dangerous. Why would she even consider doing so? What if someone attacked her? Thankfully, they weren't the only ones concerned by her request. They could see the disguised dark elf frown briefly prior to stating.
"It is unwise to go outside without guards. Are you planning to bring the pair behind you?"
She nodded in confirmation.
"Bin and Thanh are two of my strongest and most trusted subordinates. Each of them have proven that they can keep a secret. Unless Cale has a reason that I'm not aware of, there should be no problem with them serving me as my guards."
<Ruslan. Can you confirm if either of them are spies?>
His shoulder burned when the God of Death surprisingly answered his question.
-Ha— I'm busy... Only Hannah is affiliated with the enemy in the room. Now let me work.
Almost immediately after he responded, the crest returned to normal. Nibbling on a fruit tart, the youth met the Ruler's gaze and disclosed.
"Don't worry Litana. Those two aren't traitors."
Relief filled the black haired woman.
"So would we be able to accompany you?"
A nod confirmed that the deity had no issues with her request. Her dark browns enlarged when she saw the subtle touch of concern to his arm by the future king. Their eyes lingered on each other briefly as if they were having a secret conversation. Just how close were they?
-Does she know who you are?
Signaling that the Queen of the Jungle did in fact know his secret, the redhead turned his attention to the silent duo who had been surprisingly quiet.
"Is something bothering you, Harol?"
Recalling the intense pressure from earlier and how everyone else seemed to be aware of this majestic being's identity, the smaller brunet did his best to reply.
"N-nothing important, D-Dragon-nim."
Three humans stare at the redhead in disbelief. Had they just heard correctly? A dragon? Each of the guards looked to their Queen for answers. Instead they saw her shaking her head with a smirk of amusement on her lips.
<What the f***?!!! Why do people keep thinking I'm a f***ing dragon?!>
Running a hand through his fiery locks, the noble sighed in frustration before protesting.
"I'm not a dragon."
His words confused those who didn't know his identity even more. Bowing his head respectfully, the mana-resistant mage reasoned aloud.
"You're an existence not human. Someone who is capable of using powers beyond magic and combat. Your abilities are both nature and non-nature related. An entity superior to all others. If not a Dragon, then what are you? Is there anything in the mortal realm greater than Dragons?"
<Ha– S***! Am I really that bad at acting human?>
Exchanging a glance with the ancient dragon, he could see levity in his golden irises.
-Unfortunately, there's not much I can do to help you out of this. You're the one who released such a terrifying amount of divine energy earlier. Most humans would definitely mistake that amount for Dragon Fear. Good luck.
Frowning at the lack of assistance, he turned to the violet haired holy man. When their eyes met, the mortal shrugged and smiled apologetically.
-Sorry, Your Excellency. There's nothing I can do. Jack won't be able to assist you either.
<Ha— F***!!>
Peeking at the Molan duo, he could see the older had a benign smile on his face. Shuddering at the viciousness of the immortal's eyes, he finally looked to the mixed blood for assistance. He could see the Royal was contemplating hard for a way to turn this situation into a beneficial one.
<There has to be a way out of this.>
Stroking his second youngest's head, a bright smile crept onto his face. One that sent chills down the future king's back. It was obvious the youth was up to something.
-I don't know what you're planning, but I'll follow your lead.
"Harol. You do recall that I'm associated with the temples, correct?"
The brunet nodded while the majority of the group waited to see if the God of Love could get himself out of his current predicament.
"Yes, Young Master-nim. That was made apparent during your visit to the Whipper Kingdom."
"Then wouldn't it make more sense that my abilities are associated with a God rather than being a Dragon? Or is there another reason you're certain I can't be a human?"
Piercing red-browns met anxious browns.
<This better work. Too many people have already figured out my identity.>
"With all due respect, Young Master-nim. Your abilities are rather unusual for a Saint. Not only have you shown that you can heal, but you also destroyed the corpses with black mist. I don't know of any God's representative who can do anything like what I witnessed at the Magic Tower ruins. It was nothing like a priest or Saint's curse."
Before the deity could defend himself, one of the guards angrily interjected.
"Black mist? Destroy? Young Master Cale is the Jungle's benefactor who not only put out the fire, but restored the devastated landscape. It is because of him that our home is back to normal. There isn't a single trace of the blaze which plagued it."
This declaration further supported the warrior's argument. Unless he was somehow a Saint of two Gods, then there had to be another explanation for his abilities.
<Humans are f***ing annoying...>
-What in the world have you been up to? I knew you used your divine powers when you went to buy the Magic Tower and put out the fire, but you never said anything about reviving the Jungle itself or disposing of the corpses!
Keeping a stoic mask on his face, he glanced at the disguised dark elves who were staring at him in total disbelief. How could he even try to pretend to be human when he's going around doing such inhuman acts? Just what was he thinking? Weren't there costs to using his abilities?
-Ha— You're driving me nuts.
<Should I have told him? It's not like those things could've caused a war. Why would it be necessary for him to know about them?>
-Your Excellency truly is a merciful and benevolent God.
Flinching at the blond Saint's thoughts, the redhead peeked over and mixed expressions on the twins. Awe was on the older one's face while he clasped his hands together. His sister however had terror written all over hers. She knew without a doubt that a God would know about her involvement with Arm. If he's capable of destroying and not just healing, didn't that mean he'd kill her if he deemed her a threat? Not to mention his reaction earlier to the fourth prince.
<Why don't things ever go the way I want them to?>
Suddenly, one of the small bodies in his lap moved. Peering down, he saw the baby dragon groggily rubbing his dark blues.
<F***! Were we being too noisy?>
Stroking the child's head, the youth comforted him in a manner that the others wouldn't hear.
-Go back to sleep, Raon. I'll wake you up when it's time to go see the rest of our family. Okay?
-Yes, Papa~
Gradually, the four years old curled back into his father's warmth and drifted back off to the realm of dreams. Once he saw this, the noble returned his focus to the predicament at hand.
<The longer I don't say anything, the worse things will be for me.>
Looking around the room, he realized that everyone had been observing him while waiting for him to speak. They all wanted to know what he was thinking. Checking the time on the clock, the redhead sighed. A cup of herbal tea was handed to him by the blond seated next to him.
-Are you okay?
Accepting the offered drink, he took a sip of its sweet contents before stating.
"We will be heading out to meet up with my people in thirty minutes. I will only answer a few more questions from those here."
-Ho? Even me?
Golds shone with growing interest.
"Although my answer regarding whether or not I'm a dragon will not change. Furthermore, anything I disclose will not be allowed to be shared without my permission. Got it?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Would you like us to take a Vow?"
<Since Cage went back to assist Taylor, would you be able to lend me your powers Ruslan?>
-You brat! Why the f*** do you keep interrupting my work?
<It's not like you have to answer me.>
-Ha— If I do, then they'll either think you're my Saint or something worse. That's way too d**n problematic. Figure things out yourself.
Meeting the Queen's gaze, the deity replied.
"Not necessary. There's other ways to ensure people keep their promises."
His words caused the mortals to feel an odd sense of unease.
<What's wrong with them? Do they think I'll kill them or something?>
Nervously, the shorter warrior inquired.
"Can you please tell us what God you serve, Young Master-nim?"
Putting on a professional smile, the 18 years old countered.
"I'm associated with multiple. Who they are is not something for you to be concerned about."
Those who knew his identity remained calm, but the four who didn't started to internally panic.
"So you won't tell-"
<F***ing annoying.>
"No. I won't. Out of everyone here, I have less of a reason to trust you. Not only has Toonka harassed and insulted me, but one of your men was a follower of the Cursed One who tried to behead me during my last visit. Even if you've apologized, it will take time to prove that you both are reliable. Simply the fact that I'm willing to answer your questions or meet up with you is a sign of good faith on my part. Don't waste it."
Immediately, the brunet shut his mouth. Those who had not been with the redhead that day all looked at him and his companion in disbelief and rage. Taking this opportunity to change the subject, the female blonde cautiously asked.
"Is there a specific reason you personally came to the Celebration?"
There was no hesitation in his reply.
"Yes. Unfortunately, there is."
Peeking at her twin, she decided to pry a bit more. Especially if there really was a chance they were in danger like the warning they received stated.
"Are you able to tell us anything about it?"
Red-browns examined the woman who was still communicating with the enemy.
"You will be betrayed. Everything will change tomorrow for the Church of the Sun God."
The inhuman look in his eyes as he spoke sent shivers down the humans' spines.
-Could His Excellency have come here to intervene?
With a grim expression on her face, the Ruler of the Jungle sought further clarification.
"By the Empire? Or will it be by the people who attacked the Roan Kingdom?"
Maintaining eye contact with the Holy Maiden, the deity informed.
"Both."
He saw her flinch prior to her pupils quaking. She knew he was warning her that he was fully aware of everything she had done and who she had been involved with.
"Considering how the Empire placed spies in all of the kingdoms on the Western Continent, the individual Prince Adin serves has far greater reach."
A plate of sweets was held out to him by the mixed blood and he selected a cookie from it.
"Of course, you don't have to believe me."
They could see him look at the Commander of the Non-Mage faction as he continued.
"Just know that I won't let them freely do what they want. They've tormented too many innocent people over the last thousand years. It's time for them to pay."
<Either with their life or their money. Once I locate their bases, I'll make sure to loot them all.>
Unaware that his words made him seem older than he was to the humans, he peeked at the clock again. It was almost time to head out.
"I'll answer one more question."
Again the mana resistant mage spoke up.
"Are you dying?"
Instantly, the temperature in the room dropped. Getting up from his seat with his sons protectively in his arms, the youth met the warrior's browns before casually revealing.
"Yes."
He then disappeared out the door as he returned to his guest room to check on the swordmaster. Silence remained since no one knew how to react to that revelation.