The more unattainable something was, the more it fascinated.
The more unattainable, the more it stirred a restless yearning.
Layla was no exception. She felt a sense of shame-never before in her entire life had she worried about a man like this. It was almost as if she had become… a desperate admirer.
Initially, her concern for Lord Valerian Nox stemmed from her admiration for his commanding presence and extraordinary aura. She didn’t want such a rare and exceptional talent to fall.
But since that moment when she saw Lord Valerian Nox’s almost magical physique, a strange and indescribable feeling had taken root in her heart. It wasn’t love, but it was certainly something close to liking.
In every way, he aligned with the image of her ideal partner, one she had dreamed of since her youth. And the more she couldn’t have him, the more determined she became to win him over.
As the battle loomed, her worry only grew stronger. Layla wasn’t the type to waver-her loyalty was steadfast. No matter how powerful Dario Bragg was, she still wished for Lord Valerian Nox’s victory. But given the current situation, that hope seemed far too slim.
All she could do was silently pray…
—
“Callie, are you alright?” Flynn asked, helping Callie to her feet after defeating the Shadow Brothers.
“Mr. Clark, I’m fine…” Callie’s face was pale, her eyes still filled with shock.
She hadn’t yet recovered from the explosive scene she had just witnessed.
For years, the world had acclaimed Flynn as the Greater Sovereign. Even the Shadow Brothers had taunted him with that title earlier.
Who could have imagined Flynn would dispatch the Shadow Brothers so effortlessly? What level of power had he truly reached?
The two of them returned to the cliff’s edge.
Before long, Molly arrived, bringing along six of her sisters. Ronald trailed behind them, clinging shamelessly.
“I only called for Molly. Why did the rest of you tag along?” Flynn frowned.
Molly didn’t answer directly. Instead, she asked, “Boss, Scarlet said you’re going to Slatin?”
“Yes, tomorrow,” Flynn said, tossing two peachwood logs into the fire. He was determined to kill Dario Bragg and planned to head straight from Pelens to Slatin.
“Well… um…” Molly hesitated, biting her lip as if testing her luck. “Boss, my six sisters want to follow you.”
“And… I want to go to Slatin with you too…”
She assumed Flynn was heading to Slatin for revenge. Given the scale of the Clark family, it would take years to settle matters there. Molly hoped to stay by Flynn’s side and improve her own training during that time.
“Hm? Molly, think about these past days. When have you ever come to me without asking for something?” Flynn was exasperated. It was always her pleading for her sisters, or requesting this or that.
He had initially tasked her with guarding the iron meteorite at Jade Dragon Mountain, and now she wanted to tag along to Slatin? Not only that, but she wanted to bring her sisters too?
“And you? Do you want to come too?” Flynn’s gaze landed on Ronald.
“Uh… yes…” Ronald stammered timidly.
“No.” Flynn rejected him outright.
What would he do with a group of burdens?
Molly’s lips pouted, and she instantly turned aggressive, raising her voice defiantly: “Why not? Scarlet already agreed! Ms. Sharp has no objections either!”
“We can protect Ms. Sharp and Scarlet too!”
“I’m going, and so are my sisters! If you don’t care about us, then we’ll just stay away from you!”
“You’ve always treated me like an outsider-never as important as Scarlet or Ms. Sharp!”
“You promised to help me improve my training, but you keep delaying it. By the time you return from Slatin, who knows how long it’ll take? I think you just don’t want me to avenge the George family!”
“You’re a liar! A complete liar!”
Her gaze turned misty with grievances as she stared at Flynn.
Hearing Molly’s accusations, Ronald felt as though his soul had left his body. Good heavens! Did she even know who she was arguing with?
This was the King of the Underworld!
The leader of ten thousand criminals!
The master of the Four Temples!
The greatest Blademaster of the current age!
Of course, Ronald didn’t dare say any of this to Kendal or the others. He had done some digging into Flynn’s background, including his role as chief instructor of The Edge. Yet, Flynn’s records were mysteriously blank, as if he had erased all traces of himself. Ronald suspected Flynn was hiding from some powerful figure-likely someone in the military.
That was why he kept his mouth shut.
But with Flynn’s current strength, Molly should have been terrified of him. How could she dare to argue so boldly?
It hit him then-there was only one explanation. Molly saw Flynn as family. Only family could act so unrestrained, throwing tantrums and pouting like this.
Flynn’s expression darkened. “I’m only going to Slatin for half a month. What are you even thinking?”
“Do you have trust issues or something?”
“Look at Callie. She’s not nearly as stubborn as you, right, Callie?”
Who could have guessed that one rejection would lead Molly’s imagination to such absurd conclusions?
“Uh… Mr. Clark, I’m feeling much better now. I’d like to go to Slatin to find a job…” Callie brushed her hand over her forehead, smiling faintly.
“Stop, stop, stop! Callie, I already told you-you were sick for too long. You need six months of rest.”
“Stay home and recover.”
“Molly can go, but your sisters will stay. This discussion is over!”
“Honestly! Going to Slatin isn’t a vacation. Why would I take the entire household with me?” Flynn leaned back in his chair, exasperated.
—
“Uh?” Ronald was stunned.
Molly had just poured out all her grievances, and the boss actually agreed to let her go?
“Boss, what about me?” Ronald asked hopefully.
“You stay here at Jade Dragon Mountain and keep watch over the Dragonsfire Cauldron!” Flynn replied.
“What? Boss, I want to go too…”
“Not willing?” Flynn raised an eyebrow. “I was planning to help speed up your training while you stayed here. But never mind!”
“Go back to the Eight Extremities and stop bothering me!”
“What? Speed up my training?”
At those words, Ronald rushed to the furnace, throwing two logs onto the fire, his face lighting up with delight. “Boss, you don’t know how much I love tending fires! Right, Kendal?”
“And no one is taking this job from me! I’ll guard Jade Dragon Mountain and enjoy the breathtaking view of Niarak!”
Everyone around nearly dropped their jaws.
The esteemed master of the Eight Extremities, revered among thousands, was willingly staying here to tend the fire?
—
“I want to speed up my training too!” Molly perked up immediately.
“You… ungrateful disciple!” Flynn rolled his eyes in frustration.
This girl was unbelievable! Always asking for something, never showing gratitude. As her teacher, he had never gained an ounce of benefit from her.
“Mr. Clark, Ms. Sharp has already forgiven us…” Kendal whispered timidly.
Molly quickly chimed in, “Yes, boss! You’re the best-magnanimous, noble, charismatic, and forgiving…”
Even a fool could tell what they were angling for now. Kendal and the others also wanted their training accelerated.
Molly truly didn’t see herself as an outsider.
—
“Fine, fine! You women are driving me mad! All of you, line up!” Flynn snapped.
“Let me be clear-this isn’t free. In a few days, I’ll send a few Greater Sovereigns here.”
“Until then, you’ll stay and guard Jade Dragon Mountain. If anything happens, Ronald, you’ll take the fall for them!”
Ronald’s smile froze.
Great. He was the scapegoat again.
Everything fell on him, while these women got off scot-free.
He hated it.
He hated that he wasn’t born a woman…