"Behold!"
The people thoroughly opened their eyes and concentrated on the thing that Viel was holding. They could only imagine what wonders the artifacts from the other realm hold.
And on Viel's hand, was a small black shiny box.
"A… box?", there was a hint of disappointment on Princess Cha's voice. But still, her curiosity did not dwindle as she thought the mysterious box, despite its simple appearance, might hold true wonders.
Viel, who was on top of the table, waved the metal box around slowly so that the people could examine it.
"What exactly does this box do, student Viel?", Headmaster Fu placed his hand on his chin as he squinted his eyes.
As soon as Headmaster Fu finished his question, a bright light flashed the room, causing the people to close their eyes.
"What did you do!?", Professor Hamburgdole shouted as he rubbed his eye. It seems he was the one who received almost all of the light as he was looking directly in front of it.
"Is that it? It just produces… a blinding light?", now, only disappointment was left in Princess Cha's tone as she waved her fane.
"Hm, do not belittle the artifact just yet, Princess. A blinding light like this can prove to be the difference between life and death in battle. How curious", General Diao stroke his long beard as he thought of the applications of the artifact in battle.
"Viel… is that a…", Xing Cai could not help but express her curiosity.
"It is, sister Xing Cai", Viel then laughed as he covered half of his face with his hand, "Behold. The people of the dungeon call this… a smaphone!"
Viel then turn the box around and showed what was on front of it to the curious audience.
Exasperated gasps resounded the room as each of them saw what was etched on the box.
"What a fine painting!", the Headmaster could not help but widen his eyes.
"This… isn't this me!?", Hamburgdole could not believe what he was seeing right now, in all his life, he never had himself painted, but right now, in just a single moment, there was a very detailed painting of him right now on this small black box.
"Interesting!", Princess Cha slammed her fan on the table in excitement, "I am sure the royal palace would be delighted to investigate this in your behalf, General Diao"
"You overstep, Royal Princess. This was found in the vicinity of Taizhou and it will remain here", it was the Headmaster who answered Princess Cha's request.
"As a fellow headmaster, we both know that your school has no capabilities of researching this artifact, especially now. You will have no use of this artifact", Princess Cha furrowed her eyebrows as she stared at Headmaster Fu fiercely.
"Hohoho. Both of you speak as if we have a right to the artifact. As far as I could tell, the boy owns it", General Diao smiled as he winked at Viel. Viel was close to his grand daughter anyway, he was sure Viel will allow him to borrow it if he asks.
"Then the palace will buy it", Princess Cha did not let up as she sat down, once again waving her fan, "I am sure this big sister will have something you want, little Viel"
Princess Cha smirked as she looked down on Headmaster Fu. Taizhou was recovering right now, and she was sure that the city has no budget to even bid with her for the artifact. Not to mention the boy was young, she was sure that Viel would be easy to swindle.
However, as soon as she offered, Xing Cai let out a loud scoff.
"Do you really think that a brother of mine, an Elder of the richest sect in the east, will have any shortage of gold?", Xing Cai folded her arms as she shook her head, an arrogant smirk on her face.
"Sure, you can buy it!"
"See? He doesn't- wait what?"
Xing Cai blinked her eyes a couple of times as she could not believe what Viel said.
"This big titty sister here can buy it", Viel smiled as he waved the box on his hand, completely showcasing it.
"Viel, no! You should think-"
"One million!", Viel shouted as he sat on the table, right in front of Princess Cha.
Hearing the amount that Viel was asking, Princess Cha almost fell from her seat. Xing Cai snorted as she revealed a sarcastic smile.
"A..a million gold coins?", Princess Cha's eyes twitched as she looked at the boy in front of her. Sure, the palace does not lack the gold coins, but that kind of amount really was not worth it for something that was only seemed to be used for art.
Princess Cha sighed, she almost forgot that she was talking to a little child. Of course he was going to ask for something absurd.
"T-that's a bit too much, little Viel. Big sister here does not have that kind of money", Princess Cha could only wave her fan awkwardly as she started to haggle with the small little boy sitting in front of him.
"Money? I can just ask sister Xing Cai for that", Viel tilted his head as he looked at the princess with a confused expression on his face.
"Eh? T-then what are you-"
Princess Cha paused before she could finish her sentence as she felt something cold crawl throughout her body. She was curious as to what it was, but before she could even check, she realized that Viel was staring at her.
Viel's pitched black eyes felt like it was sucking her in as he looked at her with a little smile on his face.
"A million soldiers", Viel said as he leaned in closer to Princess Cha, waving the smaphone within her reach. His tone of voice completely different from just a while ago. "If big sister can give me a million soldiers, this smaphone is yours."
"W-what?", Princess Cha could not help but gulp with the sudden change of atmosphere. She was clearly in control of the situation earlier, so what just happened?
Even the other people in the room could not help but hold their breaths as they tried to adjust with Viel's sudden change of temperament.
"W-what do you even need a million soldiers for?", Princess Cha forced herself to speak. It will forever be a shame for her if she let a baby intimidate her.
"To go back to the dungeon and rescue a friend", Viel's face said as his face got closer and closer to Princess Cha's face.
"Wait, go back? How!?", hearing Viel's statement, General Diao could not help but be curious.
"Hm? There's another portal near here!", quickly, Viel's demeanor returned to normal as he answered General Diao's question.
"What? How would you know that?"
"Ugh, how many times do I have to answer that. Mr. Voice told me"
"R..right..", General Diao cleared his throat as he calmed himself down. If what Viel said was true, then maybe they could go on an expedition and check the dungeon for themselves. But it would have to wait, as the city was still recovering, General Diao thought.
Princess Cha, however, suddenly stood up, an excited smile appearing on her face.
"Gentlemen, I am afraid I have urgent matters to attend to", Princess Cha wanted to leave as fast as possible. If there were any truth with what the boy said, then she must quickly tell her father so they can send their own party to examine these so-called dungeons. She was sure that the palace can quickly gather intel on the location of these dungeons.
It was a shame that she could not buy Viel's artifact, who knew that this boy had a sly side on him. But she no longer minded, for with this information, she was sure the palace could get their own artifact if they enter the dungeon themselves.
And with that, Princess Cha hurriedly left without even turning her back.
"Hm.. this is interesting news", Headmaster Fu also got up, his hand placed on his chin, "We will take our leave as well. Call us if there are-"
"General Diao!"
Before the Headmaster can finish his words and leave, a guard suddenly barged inside the meeting hall, his breath ragged.
"What now!?", General Diao could not help but shout in frustration. With the guard's panicky expression, this shouldn't be anything good.
"D…disciples of the Azure Fist Sect are outside the gates…", the guard stuttered as he reported to General Diao.
Both Xing Cai and Headmaster Fu could not help but furrow their brows as they heard the report. Azure Fist Sect? What did Li Zhao's sect want now? Are they here to exact revenge for Li Zhao after he was beaten bloody and humiliated by Viel during the mock battle?
"Azure Fist Sect?", General Diao looked at Viel as he said so. He knew that there was an altercation between the boy and an inner disciple of the Azure Fist sect. Are they taking this chance to retaliate while Taizhou is still in the aftermath of a disaster? Can't they even rest a little!?
"Did they say what they want?", General Diao said, his tone visibly upset.
"T-they are asking for blood… t-they are saying that we attacked them. There are… a thousand of them"
"A thousand!?", Xing Cai could no longer keep quiet. "Just because their disciple lost a mock battle!?"
The guard, however, shook his head as he took a deep breath.
"N-no, they are waging war against us…
…for killing their patriarch"