"Nothing really, I am just curious, how did you defeat Elijah in one move? By your appearance, you look no older than me, how are you so strong?" Sophia questioned.
"Umm… because I am talented?" Ace answered to which Sophia rolled her eyes.
"Alright, if you are so talented, why become an elder in this sect? Why not aim higher and join a better sect?" Sophia interrogated.
"I didn't know becoming Sect Leader's personnel disciple gives you a right to interrogate an elder, and, disciple Sophia, don't you think your tone is a little disrespectful? I am still your elder, mind your manners" Ace demanded as his expression changed into a cold one.
"I… I apologize for my misconduct… Elder Ace" Sophia's tone completely changed and she apologized. She knew that she was overstepping her boundaries but she was just too curious to control herself.
"It is alright, just remember not to repeat it again. I don't like being interrogated. If you don't have anything else to say, you can go" Ace replied.
"I again apologize for my misconduct… but E-Elder Ace… I have a request…" Sophia spoke timidly, completely different than her cold tone before.
"What is it?" Ace questioned in an annoyed tone. He just wanted to be left alone with his nightingale so he could play with her, was it that hard?
"Umm… Elder Ace… c-can I touch her cheeks?" Sophia questioned as her eyes fell on Gracie.
"Hmm?" Ace's expression shifted a little.
"I am sorry Elder Ace!" Sophia apologized quickly.
"I-it is just that… you daughter… she's way too cute!" Sophia answered.
"Isn't that right!?" Ace bloomed and Sophia made a surprised expression.
"Isn't she the cutest?" Ace questioned in joy as he turned Gracie's body towards Sophia who just had a surprised expression printed on her face. Was he the same elder who scolded her a little while ago?
"But you have to ask her if she allows you to touch her cheeks, I suggest you become her friend first" Ace answered with a smile and Sophia finally came out of her stupor.
…
"You don't really come out, do you?" a woman who looked in her 30s questioned.
"No, I like to stay inside my courtyard," Maeve answered politely.
"Wait, are you being bullied by his other wives? If it is something like that, we can hel-"
"There are no 'other wives' I am the only one" Maeve interrupted.
"What!?"
"He is so strong but he only has one woman?" Another woman questioned.
"What does it have to do with strength?" Maeve questioned with a confused tone. It was not her first time when people around her get shocked after learning that she is Ace's only wife. Just like in Herferd, having a harem is very common in this world.
But Ace and Maeve are different, their bond is a lot stronger than any normal pair. They did go through multiple life and death situations, after all. Their trust, love, loyalty, respect for each other, everything is on a completely different level when compared to normal couples.
"Well, how will you know… you both are still young, even though you are beautiful now, you can't retain it when you get old, then he will look for others. Just like me, I am Elder Ryan's 5th wife. His first wife is already old, he doesn't even touch her now.
Sigh… maybe I will also go through the same after few years…" the woman answered to which Maeve smiled disdainfully. Young? Inexperienced? Hmph! They have been together for more than 90 years! Most of these women haven't even lived that long!
"Hmph! What are you talking about? See there, it hasn't even been 15 minutes, and he is already talking to another girl so happily!" Another woman snorted.
Maeve glanced towards Ace and furrowed her brows when she saw him talking with the girl named Sophia but when she saw that smile on Ace's face, a small smile appeared on her face.
'They are either talking about me, or they are talking about Gracie' She thought inwardly as she knew that Ace only talks this cheerfully either when the topic is about his love or his nightingale.
"What are you smiling about?" the woman questioned.
"It's nothing… Maybe I just love him too much…" Maeve answered in daze.
…
Just like that, 1-hour long journey ended and The Inferno Sword Sect's carriages stopped. Maeve quickly walked towards Ace, and Sophia's expression changed.
"Madam Maeve! Please don't misundersta-"
"So Gracie made a new friend?" Maeve questioned with a smile.
"Mhm! Let me introduce you, she's Sophia, Gracie's very first friend" Ace introduced with a smile.
"Nice to meet you" Maeve greeted with a smile.
"N-Nice to meet you too" Sophia answered with an awkward smile.
"It is amazing that you were able to befriend Gracie so quick, she isn't very friendly with others" Maeve muttered.
"Well, I am just at the hand-shaking stage, I haven't even touched her cheeks…" Sophia answered with a smile. She initially thought that Maeve would be hostile towards her thinking that she wants to bewitch Ace, but when Sophia saw that genuine smile on Maeve's face, her awkwardness started disappearing slowly.
"Well, at least you made progress right? It is good, please take care of her in the future" Maeve smiled in response.
"I will" Sophia smiled back.
"Alright, everybody! Come out and do your best in the tournament! Show them the power of our Inferno Sword Sect!" Elder Ryan announced after coming out of the carriage.
"All the participants will go through this passage while others will continue forwards with us" Elder Ryan announced while pointing towards a huge door.
"It looks like it is time for me to go" Sophia smiled and walked towards the door.
…
The tournament was held inside one of the 4 strongest sects in the city, The Holy Dragon Sect.
"Oh Oh Oh! If it isn't the Inferno Sword Sect!" While the group walked towards another door, A geezer with a long white beard appeared with a group of other geezers accompanying him.
"Oh? If it isn't the Seven Swords Sect" Sect Leader Kalm replied. His brows twitched, and his tone was anything but calm. It was clear that the 2 sects have a bad relationship.
The tension between the 2 groups increased but there were 3 individuals who weren't bothered at all. Of, course; those 3 were Ace, Maeve, and Gracie.
It was Gracie's first time leaving their courtyard so she was looking around excitedly, while Ace and Maeve, just like any other parents, were telling her about things she pointed on.
"That is a 'Tree'"
"I hope that your Inferno Sword Sect will perform better than the last time and secure some good rankings" The geezer mocked.
"This is a 'flower'"
"Hahaha! I hope that this time, our sect gets lucky to face weaker opponents just like your sect did last time. Hahaha!" Sect Leader Kalm answered. Though the 2 sect leaders were talking, the groups didn't stop as they both continued walking towards their respective viewing cabinets.
"Hmm? Didn't I tell you already? That is a carriage, it is used for traveling from one place to another"
"Ehehe~"
"Hahaha! Maybe you should focus more on getting strong rather than depending upon luck?" The Geezer continued, ignoring Ace and his family.
"That is a 'door'. Isn't it big!?"
"Hahaha! What are you talking about? Our Inferno Sword Sect always focuses on getting strong, unlike some other sect that just focuses on licking others' boots. Hahaha!" Sect Leader Kalm mocked.
"Hahaha! Though you say that, your sect doesn't exactly show that power in the tour-"
"Ah! That are candies? Do you want some? They are very Yum Yum" Ace spoke when Gracie pointed towards a candy shop.
"Hey! I don't think she can eat candy yet!" Maeve spoke up.
"Hmm? But her teeth are grown, why not?" Ace questioned.
"They are still weak, I don't think we should give her anything solid yet" Maeve replied.
The geezer couldn't take it anymore and finally burst out. "Hey! What are you thinking bringing a child inside the Annual Sect Competition!? Do you take the tournament between Sect's younger generations as a family trip!? Do you know how sacred the to-"
"Who are you?" Ace questioned as he furrowed his brows. Who in the hell was this geezer? Doesn't he know that he should not shout? What if Gracie starts to cry?
"Ignorant! I am Nil Quantis, the Sect Leader of Seven Swords Sec-"
"Silence!
I don't have time to talk with sect leader of any random sect" Ace declared coldly. That lost imperial aura returned, demanding allegiance from everyone present around Ace.
"Mr. Kalm, why are we wasting our time here with a bunch of pests? Shouldn't we hurry to the viewing cabinets?" Ace questioned.
"Ah, yes, we should hurry. We don't have time to waste with 'pests'" Sect Leader Kalm answered unconsciously, that Aura surrounding Ace sent shiver down to everyone's spine, including him. He didn't dare waste any more time and started walking forward.
…
"Sect Leader Nil…"
"Who was that boy?" Sect Leader Nil questioned.
"I think he was that new Elder who recently joined their sect…" The elder answered.
"Search his background. I don't think he is an ordinary person" Sect Leader Nil ordered while his legs trembled as he recalled the suffocating Aura.