Asher never got a complete read on what kind of woman Sabina exactly was.
All he knew was that she had some screws loose in her head and how unpredictable she could be at times.
And so he felt maybe someone older like Naida, who also knew Sabina better than him, could help him out.
With a soft chuckle, Naida met Asher's expectant gaze, "Sabina does have a penchant for placing bets, doesn't she? But I must say, winning against her is nearly impossible," she said, her voice resonating with a well-earned wisdom.
Asher, always the keen observer, picked up on the significance of her words.
His sharp eyes reflected a hint of intrigue, "You said 'nearly impossible'. Does that mean there's a way? A weakness, perhaps?"
Naida continued to water the plants, a light smile gracing her lips, "Sabina is, despite her eccentricities, quite an intelligent woman. And as the eldest among the younger generation of her House, she's dedicated to protecting the welfare of her House and, most of all, her own prestige just like any other Young Lady. It's safe to say that she would avoid making any mistakes that would put her at a disadvantage, especially when it comes to bets," she observed, her words echoing in the peaceful silence of the garden.
The hint of disappointment was evident in Asher's gaze, but he remained silent, his attention unwavering.
As if sensing his disappointment, Naida continued, a reassuring glint flickering in her ruby eyes, "However, there is one weakness that Sabina can't get rid of on her own. A weakness she can't completely control, something that desperately clings to her. It's something she would do anything to prevent from jeopardizing her status and power in a bet," she revealed, her words hanging in the air like a well-spun riddle.
A slow smile spread across Asher's face as he realized that she was talking about Edmund, who he knew was obsessed with Sabina.
It dawned on him that this might be Sabina's vulnerability which she wouldn't want anyone else to discover.
He always considered Sabina to be one of Edmund's weaknesses, but he never thought it was true the other way as well.
As the echoes of their conversation settled, Asher met Naida's gaze with a look of gratitude, "Thank you for your insight, Lady Naida. It's been truly helpful," he admitted, his voice sincere.
Naida's face lit up with a soft smile, her ruby eyes sparkling under the sunlight, "I'm glad to hear that, Consort Asher. I must say, I'm personally rooting for you to win this bet," she confessed with a pleasant smile.
"Thank you, I appreciate that," he responded, his smile mirroring hers.
Suddenly, Naida's tone shifted, "Now, forgive my abruptness…There's a small favor I'd like to ask of you, Consort Asher. That is, if you're willing to help me out," she said, her eyes meeting his with a request.
Astonished, Asher tilted his head, his brows furrowing as he asked with a casual shrug, "Why would someone as powerful as you ever need a favor from me?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
With a graceful wave of her hand, Naida brushed off his concern, "Don't downplay your own capabilities, Consort Asher. My request doesn't require brute strength, just your wits which I believe is better than any man of your age," she reassured him, "But you don't have to agree if you are not comfortable."
The wheels of Asher's mind started spinning, contemplating the pros and cons of accepting Naida's request.
Deciding that maintaining a balance of give-and-take with someone like Naida was important, he decided, "I'm willing to help out if you think I can be of assistance," he declared.
Asher felt that he could always refuse on the spot in case this favor required him to do something he was not comfortable with.
Naida's smile widened, her gratitude evident, "Thank you, Consort Asher. I wouldn't be needing your help anytime soon. So I will let you know. In the meantime, I am looking forward to seeing you on my floor for the trial, and I hope you have been preparing well for the Quest for the Worthy."
Asher smiled and nodded, "Of course. I have been preparing for a long time."
Inwardly, he was thinking of an opportunity where he could get to Edmund. It was the only one where he could do what he wanted.
6 months passed,
The scorching sun began to rise over the Bloodburn Kingdom, painting the sky with hues of deep crimson and maroon.
The air was thick with anticipation, thrumming with a tense excitement that pulsed through the towering spires of the three great castles to the farthest reaches of the kingdom.
The cobblestone streets bustled with the activity of demons preparing for the once-in-a-century event – the Quest for the Worthy.
Every nook and corner of the kingdom buzzed with whispers and rumors.
Tales of the past quests filled the air, recounting stories of victory and valor, of glory and immense power.
Young demon warriors polished their swords and armors, their eyes ablaze with the hope of eternal fame and gaining unimaginable power.
In the grand castles and mansions of all noble Houses, the atmosphere was no different.
Young demon nobles kept taking quests to increase their strength as much as they could, their excitement barely concealed under their poised exteriors.
It wasn't just about the glory and honor that came with winning the quest; it was about the Radem and the Deviar, the mythical treasures that were the source of much awe and reverence.
The Radem for humans and the Deviar for demons – mystical treasures forged from the essence of angels and devils.
These were not just treasures; they were a divine symbol of immense power, a fast-track to unimaginable strength without the tedious tasks of completing quests.
And just like how there were Grades for every magical item, the Radem and Deviar also had the same classification with Legendary Grade Deviars and Radems being so rare, that their existence could be counted on one's fingers in both the human and demon worlds.
The Radem and Deviar that can be obtained through this quest surely couldn't be as potent as a Legendary Grade one. But it surely was an Epic Grade which can allow one to gain from 1 to 10 levels depending upon the current strength of that person.
And so, the allure of possessing such a treasure had cast a potent spell on everyone.
The desire to hold such power and the promise of a fate-changing opportunity ignited a burning ambition in the hearts of many.
With just one of these, a person can even have the chance to establish their own House if they use their new-found capabilities wisely.
But everyone knew only the strongest among them could become the victor and take back home the Radem or Deviar.
Yet, even the weaker ones found a reason to participate in this daunting quest. For there were other treasures to be won, less valuable but still powerful enough to be coveted.
But they also knew this quest was one of the most dangerous they would be facing in their life since not only would a lot of people from their own world be participating, but they also would come across their mortal enemies from the other world, be it demons for humans or vice versa.
So they would not only have to fight and try to survive against their own people but also the ones from the other side.
It was a given that a lot of them wouldn't make it back home, yet many were willing to risk it for the potential benefits, benefits that could help them survive better.
As the early rays of the rising sun illuminated the excited faces of the young demons, they knew the big day had finally arrived, their hearts pounding in sync with the rhythm of the kingdom's anticipation.
A week ago,
It was morning when Asher was in Rowena's study hall, where he was sitting on her table while she was sitting on her chair, her brows furrowed and her hands resting against her forehead as if she was greatly worried about something.
"Rona, you shouldn't—" Asher started, only to be interrupted.
"Asher, you should reconsider," Rowena voiced, her fingers drumming on the table, "There are many young powerhouses who will participate in the Quest for the Worthy. Silvia and her brother Jael, Edmund, Silvan, Sabina...and geniuses from other powerful Houses...they're all far older and experienced even if they are considered to be in the same generation as you. And that's not even considering the strongest among the younger generation of the human side. You're very strong, Asher, for your age, and your progress has been shockingly fast, but you still need more time to catch up to those who spent decades getting stronger. You have a lot of powerful enemies within our kingdom that you cannot ignore. They might use this opportunity to get to you since they can't touch you while you are here."
Asher leaned forward, his eyes steady, "I'm aware of my strength and the dangers, Rona. But this quest—it's a once-in-a-century chance. I can't pass it up. Not when our kingdom needs more power, and you also need me."
Asher knew that this quest would allow anyone who hadn't crossed 30% of their total lifespan without any restriction on one's strength. So this could also include powerful geniuses who were quite strong for their age, just like the ones Rowena mentioned.
But that didn't mean he could let such a huge opportunity slip by him.
He then added, "And if it makes you feel better, I got Isola to protect me even if Eradicator cannot join," Asher knew Eradicator was 102 years old, and she narrowly missed the chance to join, though it didn't matter to him.
Rowena's eyes narrowed upon hearing him mention Isola.
Noticing her expression, Asher said with a sigh, "Don't look so unconvinced. Isola can't afford to let me die. If she fails, her people will share my fate. I am pretty sure she understands that after being with us all this time."
The room fell silent, Rowena scrutinizing Asher with a pensive look, "Can you promise me, Ash? Can you promise me you'll return safe and sound?"
His smile softened. "I have to, Rona. I can't afford not to."
Rowena let out a weary sigh, her eyes reflecting both resignation and faith, "Very well, Ash. I believe you," Since he had never let her down in the past whenever he asked her to believe in his words, Rowena felt she should take a leap of faith.
She also didn't want to make him feel as if she was a hindrance to his path to getting stronger and earning prestige.
She knew the victor of this quest would be remembered for generations and earn the respect of people to a greater degree.
She then leaned back, her gaze becoming more complex as she watched Asher's countenance, "There is another matter I wanted to talk about."
