Chapter 32: Igneel and Grace (Pt 5)
A week later...
Igneel was I'm his iconic red robe, Grace in her golden one as they flew toward the capital of Madar.
Grace could have teleported them at least half way there, but neither felt the need to rush it.
Igneel wanted to kill Thomas since it was on the way, but Grace stopped him like she had been for months. She wanted to report him to the kingdom and see how they would deal with the matter.
Half a day later they reached their destination.
"Is that who I think it is?!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Look, over there"
"Holy!, it's the holy maiden!!"
"I thought they said she went missing"
"Well, seems she's not missing anymore"
"Look, she's heading toward the church, let's follow and see what happens"
As Igneel and Grace walked toward the church headquarters, a crowd grew behind them and only got larger as they got closer to the church.
"Well, aren't you popular". Igneel teased Grace whose face got red from his statement.
After a few minutes they reached the church. The found the Pope already waiting for them, the church had many informants after all.
He welcomed Grace with overflowing happiness. Ushered them inside, learned of her relationship with Igneel. Before he could say anything, she told him how they met, what Thomas did.
The Pope's expression visibly got dark. This was because Thomas had told everyone that Grace soon left after completing her task and he didn't know where she went afterwards since she teleported away.
Of course people were suspicious, but since no one had any proof that he did something. They didn't say anything since he was the King's brother after all.
After a little talk, they went out, the royal castle their destination. They got an audience with the king. Who was a bit displeased by how Igneel didn't bow to him. But after looking him in the eyes, he felt that this man could wipe out the whole kingdom and no one could stop him, with that feeling all his displeasure disappeared. The instincts of strong people were usually correct after all.
When he was told about what Thomas did, his face turned dark. Even he had suspected his brother before since he knows what kind of person he is. But since they were family he didn't try to interrogate him that much.
If Grace had come alone, maybe he could have found a way to pacify her since she was a nice person. But he felt that if he tried such a route at that point, he would likely die at the hands of the red robed man.
And so he ordered for Thomas's arrest, as he was about to send someone to go get him. The red robed man disappeared and then appeared a second later with a confused Thomas in his hand, then tossed him forward.
Seeing this, the king's face broke out a cold sweat. He was happy with himself for making the right decision otherwise he really would have lost his life that day. Even the Pope's eyes widened, both of them knew that his speed was way beyond what even a Level 9 could do. For example, Grace a Level 9 would need at least half a day to go to Thomas and back. They couldn't help but wonder where Grace found this beast.
"What-- what's going o....what!! Grace and it's, Nooo don't kill me please!!". Thomas was first confused when he saw the scene inside his room suddenly change. But as soon as he saw Grace then the red robed man that has been haunting his dreams for more that a year he became hysterical in fear.
"Well, seeing your reaction, I guess there's no need for an interrogation, Thomas Madar, for your crime of attacking the holy maiden, you will be stripped of your cultivation and thrown in prison for what you've done.
Without waiting for Thomas to say anything, the king appeared in front of him and a punch to the guy completely shattered his dantian, taking his cultivation, then tossed him toward a guard.
"Throw this trash in prison, our darkest cell will do the trick".
The king only worked so decisively because he knew anything less would likely be met with annihilation. When he glanced at the red robed man, seeing a glint of satisfaction in his eyes he couldn't help but sigh in relief.
"Now that we've taken care of the snake, lets go enjoy the feast I've organised, to celebrate your return.
Not wanting to be rude, Grace accepted and they went to eat. There they were astonished by Igneel's appetite, he devoured more food than all of them compined. Of course they thought it was because he was of a higher stage so needed more food.
But Grace knew that from Stage One, cultivators no longer needed food, so she was embarrassed by his childish behaviour of trying to ear all of the king's precious and rare food.
After the meal, the king finally got the courage to ask a question even the Pope wanted to know.
"May I know senior's name of you don't mind". He asked with a shaky voice.
"Sure, you may, I'm Igneel Demigo, the ruler of the Great Beast Forest.". Igneel replied nonchalantly.
After hearing the sentence, the king and the pope felt like thunder went off in their heads due to the shock.
Then immediately cold sweat coated both their bodies.
They both knew, in fact, every human on the continent knew that there were many level 9 beasts in the forest. Along with countless numbers of the lower levels. While they only had two level 9s, one of them, Grace, seems to have changed sides too, while the oldman of Sosaphrica could likely drop and die at any moment. So basically if the stronger beasts invaded, even up to Level 8, the humans would be wiped out. Luckily for them, beast tides only ever have Level 6s as the strongest, while a few times in history a Level 7 would appear.
And now they were sitting and chatting with the king, no, it's more appropriate to call him the emperor or even monarch of the beast forest. Confirming that he was at least a Level 10. But they got the feeling that even a level 10, would be an ant in front of him. It only made sense that they would be frozen in fear.
"Hahaha, your expressions change quite quickly don't they". Igneel laughed out looking at them.
"Stop teasing them, what of they have a heart attack and die". Grace said while slapping his shoulder. When the Pope and King saw her do that, their eyes almost popped out thinking that she might anger this monster and get all of them destroyed.
"Ow, okay I'll stop, sheesh why can't no one take a joke these days, you're all so stuck up". Igneel rubbed his shoulder as he spoke as if he felt some pain, but the smile on his face gave him away.
Seeing that he wasn't angered and it seemed like a normal occurrence between them. The king and pope heaved a sigh of relief in their heads, at the same time were shocked at how Grace seemed to have tamed the monster.
"Okay, let me do it this way then, since I know you humans think everyone is as sneaky as you". Igneel's expression got serious as he spoke.
"I swear to the heavens that, as long as the humans on this continent don't attack my forest, I won't attack even a single kingdom of theirs...for the next hundred years.". Igneel made an oath to the heavens which no one can break once made, if they do they will be destroyed by the heavens.
The sky above them rumbled a bit as of accepting his oath.
"You didn't have to...and what's with the last part anyway, do you have a reason to attack a century later or something". Grace was pleased by his oath as she knew he only did it for her.
"Well I like to keep my options open okay, though I think you humans think too highly of yourself. Like what gave you the idea that those in the forest care about your barren lands or your weak selves?. The only reason why those under Level 7 attack you from time to time is because they are too weak to easily survive in the forest. To the rest of us, you all and your lands are worth less than air actually". Igneel replied to her then the later part spoke while looking at the king.
Although being disdained so much by Igneel. The king felt terrible but knowing that they will likely never be attacked by beasts ranging from level 7 and above, he was glad.
"Senior, thank you for easing my worries". The king bowed to Igneel, the pope also did the same.
"Whatever, now that we're done, Grace, can we go now, the lack of mana here is rather uncomfortable." Igneel didn't really care much for the king so he only replied to get it over with.
The king wasn't offended by this is he's the same way with those below him. He was even happy knowing that the monster was leaving.
"Yes, we can, your highness, Pope, it was great seeing you again, I have to get going now". Grace agreed with Igneel before bidding farewell to the king and pope.
With that they flew into the sky, and left.
"Little Grace, I hope you can visit us from time to time, the church will always be home after all." The pope shouted at the departing Grace.
"Yes sir, I will, thank you". Grace acknowledged his request with a smile, them Igneel grabbed her and they disappeared.
"Sigh, he's really protective of her, isn't he". The pope wrily smiled seeing his action of taking her away as soon as he mentioned wanting her to come back.
"Are you okay with losing your holy maiden like that?". The king who stood beside him suddenly said.
"Ha!, as if I could keep her". The pope replied.
"True..."