Once Amelia had finished her explanation, the room fell silent.
Alan's expression was unusually stern and contemplative, while Elena's expression looked somewhat disinterested.
"... I think I understand the motive behind the engagement, but still..." Alan furrowed his brow, his face filled with complicated emotions. A part of him couldn't really agree with the marriage.
From his perspective, a marriage should be between those who are genuinely in love with each other and want to spend the rest of their life with each other forever. Alan didn't feel any particular feelings towards the young girl before him.
Or rather, he saw her as nothing more than an arrogant brat.
[Heh! Master's black heart hadn't changed even in such a young and innocent body.] Akane said, grinning impishly.
Hearing her words, Alan's brow twitched slightly, and he decided to ignore her words.
"Hmph! I haven't given my consent to such arrangements. Why do I have to marry someone of a lower status?" Elena said, huffing through her nose in a show of displeasure.
"Indeed, I figured as much, but unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done. Political engagement is the norm for those of a special status. Even I, who was from an influential clan of a foreign country, was forced into a political marriage." Amelia said, sighing.
"Hmm! I see, in that case, I think I understand. Since there is nothing that can be done, I have no choice but to give in." Alan said, then, turning his line of sight to Elena, said with a slight smile.
"Even though I know this is convenient for me to say, let's work together and try to get along well, Lady Elena."
"Hmph! Whether we stay together or not shall be my own judgment. I shall observe and see whether or not you are worthy of being my fiancé." Elena scoffed as she replied rather arrogantly. At that, both Trisa and Suzu furrowed their brow in displeasure.
".... I see, well then I do hope I meet your expectations when the time comes," Alan replied courteously, not minding the deep implications of her harsh words.
To be honest, he didn't care whether she accepted him or not; in fact, if she did reject him, it would be even better for him in the end! He wasn't interested in marrying a woman he didn't even like.
Alan, no, Ellard was always a rational person, even though Ellard was reborn and had been injected into the body of Alan, his personality hasn't really changed.
He knew he couldn't be the one to reject her personally, as that would cause all kinds of trouble; if Elena was the one doing the rejection, then he wouldn't have anything to worry about.
With an innocent smile on his childish face, Alan stared at Elena as though he was really looking forward to their time together.
***
Once the meeting had finally come to an end, and Lady Elena had returned home.
Alan had once again returned to his room; he slowly slumped onto his bed, allowing the soft and comfy cushion to support his weight.
While lying on his back with his face turned to the ceiling, Alan closed his eyes as he went into the sea of thought.
'I wonder what happened to the temple of time?' Alan wondered to himself, it has been a thousand years after all.
The temple of time was a special palace that was created by Ellard. After all, he also had many disciples following him there, and a feeling of sorrow and regret suddenly filled him as he thought back to his followers from back then.
"I wonder how they are doing right now. Are they even still alive?" He muttered to himself. Indeed, the average lifespan of a human was a little over one hundred years, but most people usually die before they even make it to a hundred.
However, Alan's followers were not like ordinary humans; they were also demigods similar to him from back then, even though they weren't as strong as he was.
[I can understand your feelings. I personally don't think those fellows would ever die that easily. I'm sure they must still be alive even now. Just have faith.] Akane's melodious voice suddenly sounded inside his head.
They were connected deeply through a spiritual link between their souls; all his emotions, feelings, and thoughts are implicitly transferred over to Akane.
"Thank you," Alan said happily.
[Hm, why are you thanking me?] Akane asked, genuinely confused.
"For always being by my side." He replied.
[Oh, it's only natural, you know, if anything, I should be the one who thanks you, after all you gave me my name.] Akane said, even though she was in her spirit form, Alan could feel her lips turning into an impish smile.
Her name, huh, it sure brings back memories. His lips were upturned into a happy smile.
After exchanging words with Akane for a bit, Alan suddenly jumps to his feet.
And looked to the many different books stacked neatly onto the bookshelf a few meters away.
He carefully places his fingers onto the books, tracing them one by one as he decides which one to read first.
Finally, his hand stops on a particular thick book; its cover is black.
Alan took up the book and carefully read the title of the book, 'History of the forgotten city', which was written on the cover.
"A forgotten city, I wonder what city that is?" Alan muttered his thoughts out loud, frowning.
[Indeed, I'm also curious. We have been gone for a thousand years. I'm certain many things have changed since our disappearance.] Akane said in an unusually stern tone.
Hearing her words, Alan nodded his head as he opened the book, carefully flipping through the pages as he read through the contents of the book.
In the year 2033, a team of twenty powerful warriors went to investigate a city that had been abandoned and lost since a great war between two human races.
The team consists of ten spiritual swordsman and ten mages.
Many kings and emperors had sent their strongest fighters towards the city of 'Kiaury', a city that was said to be owned by the gods, though it was mysteriously abandoned for some unknown reason.
Many humans wanted to obtain various treasures and solve the great mysteries of that place.
When Alan read that, his brow furrowed slightly, 'An abandoned city owned by God. Huh, and it was abandoned by the gods as well... strange, I never heard of such a city before.' He thought confused.
The expedition to investigate the city and find various treasures was a smooth run until the year 2134, when it happened!
Alan's expression perked up in interest as he skipped through the pages.
A demonic-like monster appeared, bearing sharp claws and deep red eyes. Its size was said to be over twenty feet tall, and it had a long tail with its exterior covered in stones, as for what that monster was, remained a mystery even to this day.
"... I see that monster was most likely one of the goddess of death's minions if I'm not mistaken," Alan muttered.
Many lives were lost during that expedition, and only two people had survived to tell the tale. Those two were completely traumatised and horrific from whatever they had seen, leaving the masses utterly confused and lost.
All they got from the two who were actually there was that there was a terrifying monster lurking there in the abandoned city.
Many kings wanted to send more warriors to do some more investigating, but it was discovered that the city was no longer there in the previous location, which was on the southernmost parts of the continent, between a valley bordering the kingdom of Asuka and Reiai.
"Hm, the city disappeared, strange how a city could suddenly vanish without a trace." He muttered, frowning.