Valerian, Navin and the four Princes of Abaddon walked out of the portal and into the tomb.
A studious Alexander, a frustrated Lilian and a curious Oswald rose to greet them.
Lilian's gaze fell on the newcomers, assessing each one before seeing Lilith and feeling a sense of dread.
"I present my son, Prince Navin Perses Jata and my heir apparent." Valerian's voice carried out through the tomb. The maids and servants heard the announcement and knelt down in the direction of Valerian's voice.
"""We welcome the new young master and wish him a long and healthy life.""" Their voices echoed through the tomb for Navin to hear. For all his training and preparation, he was somewhat bashful, he may be vampire royalty now but in his human heart, he was still an optimistic country boy.
Alexander wanted to kneel and greet the young master but Oswald began to approach Navin and drew everyone's attention.
"You have a powerful name and your aura is fantastic." Oswald observed. Navin had knowledge and strength but he still had a ways to go before breaking into. [S] rank.
Oswald had once been at the peak of that rank even after his injury, he still managed to maintain it so seeing through Navin for him was easy and what he saw was the boy's limitless potential in the future. A future that he may not see.
In that moment, Oswald felt as though he were back celebrating his own talented son's coming of age when he hoped that his offspring would one day surpass him and achieve heights that he had never even dreamt off.
"Thank you, sir." Navin humbly bowed.
The Seraphs knitted their eyebrows and slightly frowned.
"You are now the heir of the incomparable House of Jata, Your Imperial Highness." Gabriel said. "I must caution against bowing to others so easily especially in the presence of your father. Your current status royalty and Dynast under the Throne, despite the fall of the empire, still exceeds that of any living being except the Lord Valerian."
Navin straightened his back and felt like he had been caught biting off his toenails. He blushed and had to stop himself from bowing in apology.
"I-I understand. Thank you for the correction, Sir Gabriel.
Oswald gave a hearty laugh.
"It seems you are still quite new to the working of court and your identity." Oswald said.
"I am. Today is actually my...name day." Navin replied.
"I see." Oswald began to fumble through his bag, drawing everyone's gaze, including Valerian's. "On such a day, I can only offer these humble gifts."
Oswald gave him a pouch full of gold, gems and arcane trinkets. In the outside world, they were priceless and he knew that those who were with Valerian also had access to great wealth and more but to a boy who had just entered [A] rank, these gifts were more than acceptable.
Valerian slightly frowned. As Oswald and Navin continued talking, Valerian signalled to Alexander to attend him.
"Will the boy not become spoilt this way?" Valerian asked. Finn's behaviour had left a deep impression on him and he would rather perform filicide before having a son half a rotten as that.
"I think it will be alright, my liege. It is customary for a child to receive gifts on their name day." Alexander replied quickly and honestly but he was confused.
'Is Lord Valerian truly that worried about spoiling his son?'
"Thank you." Valerian nodded and continued to watch Navin and Oswald interact.
After seeing that Valerian seemed to have no issue, the four Seraphs felt as if a fire had been lit under their arses.
This was their pupil and young master after all, if not for the sake of that, their competitive nature spurred them to give the boy something.
Gabriel took the lead.
"Young prince, I too wish to give you a gift." Gabriel opened his storage and took out a small silver shield that had deep intricate engravings and gems inlaid into it. It had such a powerful aura and so much so that anyone who stood before it would feel as though they stood alone against a fortress. "May it always protect you."
Asura balled up his fists and the sound of his knuckles cracking made everyone focus on him.
"Cunning bast*rd" Asura whispered to Gabriel as he approached Navin. He too opened his storage and took out a simple and sliver short-sword and passed it to Navin. Though its design was. simple and elegant, its fierce aura did not lose out to the shield Gabriel had passed on before. "Her name is Brunhild. May her edges bring eternal rest to your enemies."
Asura had a mischievous smile as if challenging the others to beat that!
Lilith, the smartest of them all was weak to such cheap taunts.
She did not open her storage. Her aura burst out and the mana in the room became denser. She began to speak and her voice became thunderous.
There was suddenly a lot of wind in the tomb and it all came from Lilith. She was using god-level magic!
Oswald gulped while Alexander became distraught.
Lilith cast her arms out, her palms raised and they began to glow brighter and brighter.
"[Creation Magic: Create small coronet. Class: Medium-grade Divine artefact. Charms: Summon Seraph Lilith, Summon Throne level nephilim, summon one hundred Virtue class nephilim. End Creation. Command into existence: Crown of the Second Star.]"
The glow began to dim. A band like crown with small spikes, inlaid with sapphires and diamonds appeared in her palms.
She smiled mockingly at Asura who looked annoyed and seemed to want to go again with a new gift but was stopped by Gabriel.
"I did not know that we were allowed to use [Creation Magic] for this!" Asura protested.
"She tried it and the Lord allowed it. It is our loss this time brother. There will be more opportunities in the future I am sure." Gabriel tried to sooth his brother with his word and a smile but the smile was clearly force showing that even Gabriel felt shafted.
"May those who see you wear this know that your blood is the most noble, regal and never to be violated. In times of distress, may you never fear and use this crown to summon aid." Lilith then placed the coronet on the boy's head. Her words were courteous and humble but her bearing was full of smugness as if this was child's play to her.
"She did not even like him before today!" Asura said loudly enough for all to hear.
At this moment, Alexander and Oswald had the same thought.
'These monsters give out priceless treasures like cheap candy!'
Alexander mourned not being born in the Golden Age. Anyone of these gifts in the current world would have been a peerless artefact that kingdoms and empires would fight for or brag about.
Oswald was thankful that he had given his gift first. Next to high grade mythical weapons and divine artefacts, what would it look like if he approached with his insignificant lifesavings now?
Valerian turned his gaze to Uriel. Uriel was unleashing the slightest killing intent.
Val thought that Uriel wanted to murder Navin but upon closer inspection he was surprised at who her rage was really aimed at.
There was something about Lilith giving her pupil the better gift that rubbed her the wrong way. Frankly, it nearly spurred her to violence.
She seemed to want to cast Creation Magic as well but she did not want to be seen as imitating Lilith. Her pride would not allow it. She came to an idea and smiled malevolently. She seemed to gather herself and began.
"Oswald! Alexander! Stand behind me immediately!" Valerian shouted. "Gabriel, protect Navin!"
Gabriel moved without a hesitation and began casting a protection on Navin.
The two were stunned momentarily but when the tomb began to shake, and the sound of thunder roared outside, fight or flight instinct took over and the two chose flight.
They scurried behind Valerian and the progenitor cast a protection charm on them.
"[Laws of the World: Create Ring. Infuse: Law of Inspire Action.]" Thunder clapped and waves of energy began to suppress everything in the tomb. "[Bend to my will: Add Summon Uriel.]"
The pressure in the room became unbearable. Outside a terrible storm raged. It was as though the world was offended. Powerful lightning descended from the sky.
"[ENOUGH!!]" Valerian roared and stillness returned immediately but in Uriel's hand a red ring with an emerald in it. She looked tired but satisfied.
'Laws. This was the power of laws.' Oswald the knowledgable noticed and trembled. 'And Lord Valerian...to be able to stop such power...his understanding of the World's laws must be unimaginable.
[Clostra integrity compromised. Seal cohesion: 75%]
[Soul damage: 5%]
[Universe Law Proficiency increased: 0.3%]
[Body toxicity level: Increased.]
The notifications made Valerian want to rage but he quickly controlled himself. He tried not to feel.
"What you did was dangerous, Uriel."