Chapter 56


    "Enough!" the Commander barked, cutting him off.


    “They destroyed his mortal form, but they dared not touch his soul. For if his spirit were to be


    extinguished, it would surely alert his kinfolk! To let him leave? That they could not risk. Thus, they


    had no choice but to seal and suppress him. With the spirit of Botanic Haven, they cast the Rune of


    Abandonment Lock; with the might of Botanic Haven, they gathered the Shackles of the Forgotten.


    They did all within their power to shroud his very essence.”


    "Will you hold your tongue, or shall I smash it for you?" The portly Elder could barely contain his


    fury.


    "So many years have passed, and you thought his soul slumbered, and was no longer a threat. Yet,


    it has awakened... Ha! It has awakened..." Neasilisughed, and his face then turned stone cold. "If


    I were to spread this news, what fate would befall Cobalt Strike? Tell me, would you be razed,


    overnight, or would you beg for mercy on your knees? What punishment would his kinfolk visit upon


    Cobalt Strike?!"


    "What do you want?" The Commander quelled the Elder''s wrath.


    "Simple! Lord Viperbane will help you keep this secret, and in exchange, Celesse will marry into


    House Viperbane, forging an alliance with Cobalt Strike. On the day of the grand wedding, Lord


    Viperbane and Cobalt Strike will join forces to eternally suppress that soul, forever sealing this


    secret."


    ...


    "I''ve long heard that Cobalt Strike''s mountains and rivers are beautiful, boasting the splendor of the


    Nortnds. Seeing it today, I realize the most beautiful sight is not thendscape but the people


    between them. I have no desire to leave." Marak strolled the mountain paths of Cobalt Strike,


    admiring the male and female Protégés passing by, surprised to find many a fair maiden among


    them.


    "Lord Marak, have youe here in person for some important matter?" Tyral deliberatelygged a


    few steps behind.


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    "The Eight Orders of the Nortnds, I''ve visited them all, save for Cobalt Strike. I''m merely


    apanying Neasilis to see the sights; he has his business, and I have myndscapes to


    admire."


    "How long does Lord Marak n to stay?"


    "We shall see."


    Seeing they were alone, Tyral chuckled softly. "There are a few Protégés in Cobalt Strike of


    heavenly beauty. Would Lord Marak care to meet them?"


    "Would you introduce me?"


    "There are three recognized beauties under twenty in Cobalt Strike. One is the Golden Protégé


    Celesse, another is an Elite Protégé of Botanic Haven, Mari, and thest is the Elite Protégé


    Liyana. Each is unique in her charm, and they are the top three."


    "Oh?" Marak eyed Tyral closely, pondering his intentions.


    "Would Lord Marak be interested in meeting these three exquisitedies?" Tyral had been plotting


    his revenge on vin, but when he heard that the young scion of House Viperbane had arrived, an


    idea struck him.


    "If it''s convenient, please?"


    "Mari resides within Botanic Haven and seldom leaves. Given recent events, they''ve dered


    martialw, and it''s difficult for outsiders to enter. Liyana is quite mysterious, often adventuring with


    the Elders, and is currently not in Cobalt Strike. Shall we visit Celesse first?"


    "That suits me perfectly, lead the way." Marak was puzzled. How did thisd know he was after


    Celesse? A coincidence?


    Tyral enthusiastically led the way to Celesse''s private training grounds.


    Celesse held a high position within Cobalt Strike, and to ensure her uninterrupted training, the


    Commander had decreed that no other Protégé should disturb her. This was Tyral''s first visit as


    well.


    On ount of Marak''s status, they passed the questioning of the outer Protégés and entered the


    courtyard. But Celesse was not there; the ce was deserted.


    Tyral indeed knew Celesse wasn''t present; feigning embarrassment, he exined, "Lord Marak


    should understand, that a woman like Celesse has many suitors."


    Marak''s expression tightened slightly. "Are you suggesting Celesse has a suitor she favors?"


    "Celesse is chaste and holds herself in high regard; how could she have a malepanion?


    However, she does have a close friend, a male Protégé. I believe she''s with him now." Tyral''s words


    seemed innocent enough, but upon closer inspection, they seemed amiss.


    A close male Protégé?


    Not in her own abode but in someone else''s?


    Was this mere friendship? Was this still chaste?


    Marak got it right away, Tyral couldn''t say outright that Celesse could have a man she fancied.


    Internally scoffing, he lightly chuckled. "A Protégé who has won Celesse''s favor must also be a


    heroic figure. Might I have the chance to meet him?"


    Tyral hesitated deliberately. "That Protégé is a bit entric and unconventional. I fear he might


    offend you, Lord Marak.”


    “No matter, lead on.” Marak was now eager. He thought, “Someone dares to im my future wife?


    Impatient for death, it seems. I would see what sort of man he is.”


    The guards at Marak''s side instinctively tightened their grip on their weapons. What sort of


    formidable and outstanding man could attract the attention of Cobalt Strike''s prodigious heir? Could


    he be a descendant of the Commander?


    "Please, this way," Tyral led them toward vin''s storehouse. He not only knew Celesse wasn''t in


    her courtyard, but he also knew she was in vin''s storehouse. Every day at noon, Celesse would


    spend time there, seemingly advising vin. If he brought a hot-blooded man like Marak there,


    Celesse''s beauty would surely dazzle him, leading to inevitable flirtation and provoking vin. And


    then... he smirked at the thought, waiting to see how vin would meet his end.