Claire's breath grew haggard, her expression a mixture of shock and great apprehension.
From the moment she sensed Damian's sudden change in aura when it felt as though he would be killed by the Duchess, she knew her earlier speculations on his standing in the Power he was from, was entirely wrong. However, what she hadn't expect was for it to be so deeply wrong.
One who could wield Chaos Edict like it was an extension of his body definitely wasn't someone that was some insignificant trash in his Power. And a Power that could even beget an individual talented enough to have Chaos Edict as their Innate Soul Edict definitely weren't existences her House of Etoile could hope to match… in their lifetimes. And that was even considering the hidden potential that could place them in the ranks of Eighth Sphere Powers.
Claire took deep breaths, forcefully suppressing the agitation in her heart. She looked towards Damian, her eyes taking in the bright smile that curled at his lips.
'What a monster!'
She thought, but then, a frown creased her beautiful face. There was one other matter that was gnawing at her mind.
"Why are you telling me these?" She asked.
Immorality permeated the world like the Edict every lifeform breathed in and out every single second. Although Damian was from a Power countless times stronger than hers, very few are aware of such information, a fact that was only reinforced by the fact that she knew nothing of the House of Octavius, except the fact that they weren't to be trifled with. Even then, the bits and pieces she knew was only something she had glean after the little interaction with Damian.
As a result, wouldn't those with knowledge of Chaos Edict want to kill him, knowing he would be a potential threat to their wellbeing. After all, no matter how overpowered Damian was currently, could he really boast of being capable of defeating Third Sphere experts, Fourth Sphere experts, or the terrifying Fifth Sphere experts? Of course, this was only considering experts from Powers on par with hers or higher.
Now then, one would think that the possibility of them knowing was next to nil if Damian decided to keep it a secret, however, hadn't he just spill it out to her? Who was to say she wouldn't take this information to her House? Was she that trustable?
To her question though, Damian only chuckled.
The reason he had said that to her despite knowing the consequences it could entail wasn't because he trusted her, not after what she had done.
However, would she really dare? This was a logical question that needed a logical answer. Would she really dare?
Barring the fact that his mother was watching over him every single moment and wouldn't sit and watch her son get killed before her eyes, a fact he still have no idea of, just the fact that he was from a Power higher than hers was enough to halt any intention of betrayal.
The fact that he wielded Chaos Edict meant he was most especially revered in his Power and as such, they placed a great deal of importance on him.
With such importance, would they really sit back and allow anyone to so casually spit on the face of Damian? And even If, and only if, by some chance, Claire's family managed to nip him in the bud to certify their own safety, did that really guarantee their safety? Of course not.
The House of Octavius only needed to deploy a single expert, and the name, House of Etoile, would be something only heard in history.
There was no doubt that Claire was aware of that, which brought us back to the very first question: would she dare?
Claire trembled as she took in the casual smile of Damian. Although it was casual, the intention laden beneath that smile was more glaring than ever. He didn't even need to speak to answer her. She already understood the implications of such a stupid decision.
Abruptly, she sighed, before shaking her head ruefully.
'Really. The woe of a weaker Power.'
Damian nodded his head faintly, before turning to face Valerie. It was about time he finished the Quests.
"So Duchess, what do you say?"
Valerie seemed to snap out of her daze, before focusing her attention towards Damian, her brows squinting then relaxing.
"I have no intention to conquer them any longer. Compare to my hatred towards Claude, theirs is only miniscule at best." She stated.
"Is that so? Good." Damian said, nodding even as a smile stretched his lips, a sigh of relief subsequently echoing from his mouth.
[ Congratulations! You have completed the Main Quest: Stop the Draconians from conquering the Southern Human County ]
If before, he had any doubt about the credibility of Valerie's words, considering her hatred for Humans, an emotion triggered by her father's deeds, the moment he saw the message however, the doubts vanished without a trace. It seemed to him that, clearly, her hatred had subsided after killing Claude once and for all.
However, what Damian didn't know was that, his line of thought was only slightly correct. While it was true that the true death of Claude played a role, the major reason Valerie chose to abandon her plan of total conquest however, was none other than Damian himself.
Of all the Humans she had come across, Damian could be said to be the most powerful and most… likable of them all. Although, she was willing to blame her Edict for the latter.
Even so, the discovery did nothing to diminish the like that was growing and slowly but surely, changing into a more intense feeling she had never felt before. Was it just attraction? Clearly not. Or love? Perhaps. Or worse still, obsession? She had little idea.
But what she did know was that, she was slowly feeling as though she couldn't do without him. A feeling she would have abhorred from the deepest parts of her heart were it not for the fact that even every traces of abhorrence were slowly been overridden by said feeling.
In the end, she could only shake her head.
'Fine. If this new feeling isn't going away, then I will embrace it. Besides… he isn't that bad.'
But, what Valerie didn't know was that, this very thought of hers would have an effect, because at that very moment, a message appeared before her.
[ Congratulations! You have accepted your Bound Partner: the Embodiment of Chaos ]
Her eyes widened in shock.
But perhaps, the most shocked of them wasn't even Valerie, nor was it Claire, whose mind still reeled in shock over her current discovery. No, the most shocked was Damian himself, because, a second didn't even pass before a new message also appeared before him.
[ Congratulations! Your Bound Partner: the Embodiment of Order, have accepted you ]