Meanwhile, Jared, carrying an unconscious Ajax, headed straight to the city lord's mansion. The mansion was made of gleaming white stone, reflecting the soft glow of moonlight, giving it an ethereal appearance. As Jared arrived, he walked directly to the city lord's chamber, where he knelt before him.
"My lord," Jared began, "I have returned as you commanded, with a male candidate for our young miss's marriage, one who matches your description."
Liam, deeply immersed in his work, looked up when he heard Jared's voice. His gaze first settled on Jared, and then shifted to the young man slung over Jared's shoulder. The man's beauty was undeniable, and Liam narrowed his eyes, instinctively comparing him to himself. *He's just slightly more handsome than me,* Liam thought with a hint of amusement.
"So, this man... is he strong?" Liam asked, his voice steady but curious.
Jared nodded confidently. "Yes, my lord. He's strong—stronger than any others I've tested who are in a similar stage of godhood."
Liam's eyes narrowed further as questions swirled in his mind. "You said 'other gods.' Does that mean he doesn't belong to the Abyss?"
"No, my lord," Jared confirmed. "He's not from the Abyss. He's a newborn god, but with proper training, he'll become stronger and more powerful than anyone here," Jared added, his voice brimming with confidence.
Liam pondered this for a moment. "A newborn god, you say. Just how strong is he?"
Jared, eager to impress, replied with enthusiasm, "Of all the gods and newborns from the Abyss I've encountered, he's the strongest I've ever met, my lord."
Liam's interest piqued further. "Even compared to the powerhouses of the Abyss?"
"Yes, my lord," Jared affirmed. "He surpasses those lesser beings, and I believe he'll be a perfect match for our young miss."
Liam studied Ajax one more time, deep in thought. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Very well, we'll make him my son-in-law. But Jared, you will be responsible for his training, for developing his strength and abilities."
Jared beamed with satisfaction. "Of course, my lord. But tell me, when will you arrange the wedding ceremony?"
Liam responded with a smirk, "We'll have a wedding when my daughter says she wants one. Until then, he'll be my son-in-law whether she wants a wedding or not. As for his strength improvement, Jared, I'm entrusting that fully to you."
Jared, nodding eagerly, replied, "Leave it to me, my lord."
As he was about to leave, Jared paused, remembering something. "My lord, where should I put your son-in-law, Ajax?"
Liam chuckled, his tone playful. "So you already know his name? And what's this? Are you trying to make your son-in-law out to be a secret daughter you've been hiding from me?" he teased.
Jared's face twisted in a mix of frustration and amusement. "Lord, you know I've always been at your side, whether guarding your home during your marriage or on missions you've assigned to me. How could I possibly have a daughter?" he asked, half-joking, half-serious, feeling a twinge of regret over his nonexistent love life.
Liam, catching the hint of embarrassment in Jared's voice, offered playfully, "Well, you can always start now. If you want, I'll give you a retirement and support you fully—clothes, food, shelter—everything you need to start a family."
Jared responded with a touch of sarcasm, "Do you really think anyone's brave enough to fall in love with this old man?"
Liam laughed, "I don't doubt it. You may think you're old, but you're powerful and have a long life ahead of you. There's bound to be someone out there who'll love you wholeheartedly. If you want, I can introduce you to someone."
Jared shook his head firmly, rejecting the idea. "Sorry, my lord, but I'm not interested. I'll pass on any suggestions about women from you."
The memory of Liam's earlier attempt at matchmaking flashed in Jared's mind. Years ago, when Liam first married, he was always surrounded by admirers, even though he was off the market. Jared, feeling envious, had asked Liam to introduce him to someone. Liam, in his well-meaning but mischievous way, had taken Jared to a brothel. Unaware of what was about to happen, Jared had been flattered by the attention until things took a turn that left him mortified and his reputation tarnished. The experience had scarred him deeply, and he swore never to take romantic advice from Liam again.
Liam, reminiscing about the time he pranked Jared, burst into laughter. "Ha ha ha ha ha...!" he roared, glancing at Jared, whose expression had turned as fierce as an enraged beast, barely containing himself.
Sensing the need to ease off, Liam said, "Okay, okay, I'll stop teasing you. Take him to my daughter's room, put him there, and you know what to do next, right? I don't have to spell it out for you."
Jared, smiling despite himself, responded, "Yes, my lord."
He headed straight for a building in the center of the forest. The house was beautifully integrated with its surroundings, almost as if the forest itself had grown around it. When Jared entered, he called for a servant. A young woman appeared, and Jared asked, "Is the little miss here?"
The servant, with a slight bow, replied, "No, sir. The young miss is not here; she went out, but I don't know where."
Jared nodded, dismissing her with, "You can go."
With the absence of his little miss, Jared carried the unconscious Ajax to a beautifully white, color-coordinated bed that matched the room's elegant decor. He made the necessary preparations as his lord had instructed, ensuring everything was in order before quietly leaving the room and returning to his place.