Unfortunately, Caesar"s confusion didn"t stop the old man from approaching him. The gasps for breath, cheers, and squeals were blocked out as he scrutinized the approaching figure. He could feel his immense power from afar, and even his storage ring seemed to tremble ever so slightly.
Seconds seemed to feel like minutes, and it took quite a lot of mental fort.i.tude for Caesar to recollect himself. A small smile formed on his lips as he stood up from the chair, greeting the old man with open arms. It would not be wise to make an enemy out of someone so influential, so Caesar would try his best to make him an ally.
The older man stopped just a few feet away from Caesar"s table, subtly glancing at both Joe and him. His cane rhythmically tapped the floor as he walked back and forth, laughing quite ridiculously. This development confused everyone that was paying attention, but the laughter abrupt stopped.
"I haven"t had the luxury of smelling this aroma for quite a while. All of the new fighters and heroes are striving for greatness, yet they have forgotten the most important step," the man spoke, inching closer to Caesar"s face.
"The country was founded upon war, ma.s.sacres, death, evil. However, the new generation scoffs at such things. Even my own son doesn"t dare to wage war. I wonder, where have you been all along?" the man continued in a strange voice, observing Caesar"s every moment.
Bewildered, and unsure of how to respond, Caesar tilted his head to the side, the corner of his lips twitching, "I beg your pardon? I"m not too sure what you are referring to, nor what your point is?" he replied.
The old man once again tapped the ground with his cane, "you"re different from the others. I"m not sure how, or why, but I feel something from the old ages in you. The smell of blood, death, war… ah, how nostalgic."
Caesar stared back at the man with a blank look. He was currently contemplating how deranged the person in front of him was. At first, he had figured the man knew of his vampiric origins, similar to Musashi. But now, it was merely a matter of smell, he inwardly thought.
"Is that so?" Caesar replied curtly and sat back down on the chair, heaving a deep sigh.
The decrepit man smiled broadly and sat down at the table as well, "My name is Ibrahim, the old king of Limbo kingdom. My eldest son followed in my footsteps, while the others were killed in the battle for the throne."
Caesar nodded his head in comprehension. Generally, the battle for a throne was quite b.l.o.o.d.y, especially for an influential kingdom. In contrast, Rahvin was rather simple and easy, since it was practically a little child in comparison.
Both he and Ibrahim didn"t have many topics to converse about, but they still exchanged pleasantries and names. Especially since Caesar had planned a meeting with Tazul after, there wasn"t going to be a lack of strange conversations.
They talked for a total of fifteen minutes, about random and boring topics: their favorite colors, food, age, etcetera. Nothing of much importance was exchanged, but Ibrahim was in a great mood. His smiled extended from one cheek to another, and he didn"t stop talking until the marriage ceremony was supposed to take place.
As expected of Limbo kingdom, well-trained butlers and maids cleaned up the guts that stained the floors and coaxed the guests in shock. The rebel "leader" was cuffed and escorted by a few guards, and even one of the earthen magicians covered up the broken window.
The candles were relit, and the hall"s appearance was restored as if nothing had even transpired. The futile attempts of the trespa.s.sers were in vain, and most of the n.o.bles didn"t even bat an eye at their deaths. Most of them were rather cruel, so the sight of death was not surprising to them at all.
On the other hand, the saintess was still in shock. Her pale hands trembled, and the divine energy in her body seemed to waver. According to the beliefs she had been taught at the church, all humans were worthy of forgiveness, no matter how much they sinned. Yet one of their more prominent allies killed without a second thought.
She was just a young girl, one who had not explored intricacies of the world. Groomed and protected by the church, she spent time with a group of nuns. She didn"t learn anything about diplomacy, war, murder, or anything of the sort. She was merely taught to love, heal, and forgive those who wanted to be forgiven.
Naturally, the fact that the group of n.o.bles could laugh and chat as if nothing had happened confused her. Her expression was downcast as she scanned the room, looking for a familiar figure. Finally, it landed on Caesar, who was conversing with the old man who murdered the dozen or so cloaked men.
Her eyes blinked weirdly as she bared witness to the older man smile and stand up from the table, directing a few of the butlers to prepare for the wedding ceremony. She was unsure of who Caesar was, or how much influence she possessed. Some of her previous discomforts disappeared as she pondered about his mysterious ident.i.ty.
She was not the only one; many other n.o.bles contemplated about the same matter. None of them were even aware of his ident.i.ty, so when they asked their peers, they received the same answer. "I don"t know."
Mysteriousness was, after all, attractive. Not to mention his exception appearance and the absurd number of unmarried girls. Caesar immediately became a hot topic. Whether it was the men, trying to gain connections, or the women, trying to court him.
Plenty of conspicuous glances were thrown in his direction, yet no one dared to approach him. No one knew his personality, nor background. None of the n.o.bles dared to risk their well-being for a single connection.
On the other hand, Caesar couldn"t help laugh at their misunderstanding. He was probably the least influential figure in the entire hall, let alone a tyrant. But now, he had to deal with their misdirection and have a meeting with the crazy old man, and the king.
Another deep sigh escaped from his thin lips as he directed his attention back to the main doors. He could feel a group of people approaching. Since the surroundings turned silent, and the instruments started to be played, it could be a.s.sumed that the bride was arriving.
Caesar, along with the others, stood up from their chairs and rested their hand on their hearts. The doors creaked open, and the bride, followed by dozens of servants, entered. She possessed beautiful, blue hair that cascaded below her shoulder blades, a small nose, thin lips, and slightly chunky cheeks. Her eyes were sparkling brightly as she gazed upon the crowned prince with love.
Her feelings were reciprocated as the crowned prince looked at her the exact same way. The bridesmaids held their breath, and a burly man walked the bride through the small pa.s.sageway. Soon, both the groom and bride held hands and were told their vows by the saintess herself.
Everything went according to plan—loud cheers resounded throughout the halls, congratulating the new couple. The music changed, and various slow dances started to take place, while both Caesar and Joe just wanted the party to end.
However, at another corner of the room, a small and butch gal peeked cover. Her orange hair split between her cleavage, and she blushed furiously. Caesar was at first shocked, but when he glanced to the right, he could see a blushing Joe glancing back at her.
A lousy premonition overtook Caesar, but he was too slow. Joe placed his gla.s.s of wine on a nearby table and started to walk toward the dwarf girl. He used his hands and pulled on an imaginary rope as he walked, as if he was pulling the girl closer.
Caesar couldn"t help but feel embarra.s.sed for his friend, so he quickly sat back down and hid himself to the best of his abilities. To think another dwarf would be present.