The next morning, Azel was seen sitting on a large rock while enjoying the view.
The sun has just risen, the orange glow coupled with the natural green scenery really spoils the eye. Not only that, feeling the dew on the grass he had stepped on earlier as well as the clean air, Azel felt his mind clear and fresh.
"So you're here, Master."
Hearing the voice calling him, Azel who was sitting casually turned around with a soft smile.
"Camellia, kah'? What's wrong?"
"Morning tea to warm your body, Master."
Looking at Camellia who was carrying a ceramic cup filled with steaming tea, Azel nodded lightly.
"Thank you, Camellia."
"This is my duty, Master."
"You sit here too," Azel said, pointing to a large area next to him.
After giving Azel the tea, Camellia nodded before sitting down. "Then excuse me."
Camellia occasionally glanced at the master sitting next to her. The young man looked so peaceful, enjoying the morning view while slowly sipping hot tea. The longer they were in this new territory, the more Camellia knew that her master was hiding things from her. As a girl who had been with Azel for 5 years, she felt so useless.
"My apologies for being so useless, Master." Camellia looked down with a sad expression.
"Why do you say that?"
"Despite being with you for five years, I really don't know you, Master." Camellia muttered under her breath. "I'm even too weak."
When Camellia was feeling sad, she suddenly felt a warm palm touching the top of her head. In a state of shock, a soft voice sounded in her ear.
"Sorry. Actually I wanted to hide everything. It's just that circumstances don't allow it. Without real power... people don't trust me or submit to me. It's not your fault."
"..." Feeling Azel's hand stroking her hair, Camellia felt her brain completely go blank.
"Even with Elena, I won't forget you, OK? After all, you're the first maid that I personally chose. If you want something, just say it. Even if I can't guarantee I can give it, I'll at least try to do it.
After all ... you are mine. Everything you have is also mine."
I... I belong to Master Azel's.
Camellia glanced at Azel. After a moment of hesitation, the girl worked up the courage to say, "I want to be strong and useful to you, Master! Also... I wonder what level you are at."
"Only that?" Azel tilted his head.
"En." Camellia nodded.
Instead of being angry, Azel actually felt happy. After all, the stronger his subordinates were, the safer and more relieved he would be. The young man brought his lips close to Camellia's ear as he whispered, "Initial stage... level 6."
'Le... Level 6???'
Camellia stared at Azel with a surprised look on her face. To the girl's knowledge,, people who were level 6 were old retired dukes or marquis. Even the first prince who was hailed as a genius had yet to reach this level. Not to mention, the first prince was over 20 years old.
"A... A-Are you kidding me, Master?"
"Hmm?" Azel tilted his head before letting out a long sigh. "as I thought, you wouldn't believe it."
"S-So that's true?"
"Of course. It's a secret between the two of us, so don't reveal it, got it?" Azel said with a gentle smile.
Camellia stared at Azel with a blush on her cheeks. The girl nodded obediently. "En! I understand, Master."
As the two sat down relaxed, the sound of hurried footsteps was heard from a distance. The gentle expression on Azel's face was suddenly replaced by the cold face he usually used.
"Forgive me for disturbing your leisure time, my lord. I came to report!"
The figure of a knight appeared and saluted Azel.
Looking at the knight, Azel nodded lightly. "You're not intruding. Say it."
"A black Minotaur has come to our tent to meet you, my lord!"
"Oh... so he has come." Azel said with a relaxed expression. "Bring him here."
"As per your orders, my lord."
After saying that, the knight immediately saluted before going to summon Black. Some time later, the figure of a knight followed by a black Minotaur arrived before Azel.
Azel looked at the knight and nodded. "Good job. You can back off."
"yes, my lord!"
After the knight left, the black Minotaur suddenly prostrated before Azel.
"This slave has come to apologize for his mistake, Master. I didn't think clearly and did such a reckless act."
"I forgive you," Azel said casually.
"EH???" Black looked surprised. He looked up to see Azel sitting on a rock. "Aren't you going to punish me like beating or whipping me, Master?"
"Why would I do such a stupid thing?" Azel said coldly.
'Yeah... if it was Camellia or Elena, I might have second thoughts.'
Cough! Cough!
Seeing Azel who was so kind and let go so easily, Black looked even more amazed. Just as he was lost in thought, the young man's voice sounded again.
"I'm going to ask you something, Black."
"Please, my lord!"
"Before that...you better sit down or at least kneel down."
Azel felt a bit strange when he saw the person or figure that was prostrate in front of him. If it was kneeling, he still accepted, but kowtowed… he felt that kind of thing was unnecessary. After all, he didn't want to exalt himself and play as if he was a God.
"Yes, sir!" cried Black before kneeling in front of Azel.
"Why are you trying to protect a tribe that even hates and treats you badly, Black?"
Black blinked before looking at Ciel with a stern expression. "I feel that's what I should do, sir. According to the chief of the Moogu tribe, my father was a great warrior who went to war to protect the tribe. I also want to protect what my late father fought for, sir!"
"Hmmm... so that's it." Azel felt somewhat amazed by Black's sense of patriotism and simple-mindedness. "Then will you become the strongest Minotaur that can rival a high-level Demon?"
"I-Could I do such a thing, Master?" asked Black in amazement.
"by yourself, I'm not sure. But with me, it's not impossible."
"I-Is that true, Sir?"
"I won't say much. Sell your soul and follow me! I will give you power so that the Minotaurs live a better life. You can even be considered a hero of the Minotaurs! So... what's your answer Black?"
Thinking of the Minotaur's life and the glory he might gain, the simple-minded Black felt excited. His body trembled with pleasure. If it wasn't for Azel's presence in front of him, he would have roared with joy already.
"This slaves agrees, my lord!"
Looking at the obedient Black, Azel nodded in satisfaction. "Good!"
After feeling happy about having a new follower with good talent, Azel finally realized something.
"Black... since you followed me, I should give you a name."
"Na-Name???" asked Black in a trembling voice.
The one that the black Minotaur wanted the most in this life was a name… who would have thought, he who was considered cursed could still get it. Not to mention, that name was the gift of a Prince!
Azel looked at Black who was kneeling in front of him while stroking his chin.
"You are a Minotaur who possesses the soul of a warrior. You have big dreams to achieve. I want you to become a knight who defeats my enemies, even if they are high-level Demons. Therefore, I will give you a suitable name. From now on, your name will be ...
Asterious!"
***