Time flowed by unnoticed. Streaks of orange began to paint the sky outside the mansion windows, signaling the arrival of late afternoon. Kazien, realizing they could no longer linger, decided it was time to return to the capital. Duke Hubert granted his permission, though he secretly wished he could converse with them longer.
Kazien stood up and signaled Alvin, Allen, and Arken to gather close.
"Alvin, Allen, Arken, please close your eyes and hold hands." Kazien commanded calmly.
His three fiancés obeyed without question. Kazien then turned to the host. "Lord Duke, Hudeon, we shall take our leave now." he said with a slight wave and a faint smile. "Until we meet again."
"Yes! Take care of yourselves and stay healthy in the capital!" Duke Hubert called out, adding in a slightly awkward yet sincere tone, "And... give my regards to Elisa!"
Hearing his aunt's name, Kazien smiled meaningfully. In the split second before the teleportation magic activated, he performed an act invisible to the ordinary eye. He split his form, leaving a perfect clone standing behind where he stood.
The magic activated!
A brilliant white circle appeared beneath the feet of the four.
Zap!
In the blink of an eye, the figures of Kazien, Alvin, Allen, and Arken vanished from the family room.
However, Duke Hubert and Hudeon did not move. Their eyes widened, fixed on a figure who should have departed but still stood tall before them.
Kazien was still there, gazing at them with that same serene expression.
Duke Hubert gasped. He never imagined Kazien's magical prowess had reached the level of long-distance teleportation. Yet, the presence of the figure left behind in his room defied his logic even more.
"Why are you still here?" Duke Hubert asked, his voice filled with curiosity and caution. "And then, who was the Kazien that just left?"
Kazien did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked at Duke Hubert with a searching gaze.
"Before I answer that, please answer my question first, Lord Duke." Kazien requested. "Where is your wife? Why is she not here?"
The question turned the atmosphere somber. Duke Hubert let out a long sigh, his gaze drifting toward the distance. "My wife... she passed away right after giving birth to Hudeon." he answered softly. There was an unspoken grief in his voice, as if he were reluctant to speak further of the woman he loved.
Duke Hubert shook his head, trying to refocus. "Now, answer my question!" he demanded, his voice regaining its authority. "What have you done, and how can you still be here?"
"I split myself." Kazien replied casually, as if it were as mundane as breaking bread. "I and all my clone bodies are connected mentally and physically."
That answer shattered Duke Hubert's reasoning. High-level cloning magic capable of real interaction without the main body was an exceedingly rare feat.
Seeing the Duke still in shock, Kazien felt it was the right moment to reveal his hidden intention. He looked straight into Hubert's eyes.
"Lord Duke, what if you and Aunt Elisa were to get married?"
The sudden and blunt request caused Duke Hubert to choke on his own saliva. His face flushed, a mixture of shock and embarrassment.
"W-what?!"
In contrast to his father, Hudeon let out a joyful squeal. "I agree! If Father marries Aunt Elisa, then Brother Kazien and I will be official cousins! We'll be family!" Hudeon exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Kazien!" Duke Hubert scolded firmly, trying to hide his nervousness. "Don't speak nonsense. I am old. My age and your father, Elgard's, are only a few months apart. How could I possibly marry again at my age, which is already over 49!"
Hearing the classic excuse, Kazien merely smirked. "Old, you say?"
Without warning, Kazien raised his hand. Mana particles gathered in the air, condensing into two empty, clear glass bottles that floated before them. A moment later, he prepared to wound his palm using wind magic.
"What are you doing, Kazien?" Duke Hubert asked in bewilderment, his eyes widening as he saw Kazien aim the magic at his own palm.
Scratch!
Fresh, deep-red blood flowed profusely from the incision on Kazien's palm. Calmly, he directed the stream of blood into the mouths of the floating glass bottles.
"Actually, I am an immortal human, Lord Duke!" Kazien answered flatly, yet the words hit the silent room like a bomb.
"What did you say? You... immortal?" Duke Hubert gaped, his legs feeling weak.
Hudeon stared at the figure before him with growing adoration. The man he liked was not only strong and handsome but had transcended the boundaries of death.
"Yes, you are correct." Kazien replied while continuing to let his blood fill the bottles. "From the forbidden magic books I have read and studied, the blood of an immortal possesses extraordinary properties. This blood can grant eternal youth, a lifespan far longer than ordinary humans, and transfer a portion of the owner's power to the one who drinks it."
The dripping blood finally stopped after filling a quarter of each bottle. The wound on Kazien's hand closed on its own within seconds, leaving no trace behind.
However, the demonstration was not over. Kazien wanted to ensure they truly understood the meaning of 'immortal'.
A blinding light gathered in his right hand, forming a long sword made of pure light element.
Zrash!
Without blinking, Kazien thrust the light sword through his own chest, right through the heart.
"Brother Kazien!!" Hudeon screamed in horror. Duke Hubert leapt from his chair, his face deathly pale.
The sword of light pierced through Kazien's back, and blood seeped from his chest. Yet, he simply smiled serenely at the two people in deep shock.
"You've seen it for yourself, haven't you?" Kazien said casually, as the sword of light in his chest slowly faded. Then, the wound closed perfectly as if nothing had ever happened. "I cannot die, even if I desire death."
He took the two bottles of floating blood and placed them carefully on the table in front of Duke Hubert.
"I beg of you, please accept this blood. Consider it an investment. I want you to drink it so you can help me in the future."
Duke Hubert stared at the bottles in confusion. "Help you? What do you mean?"
"The world will not remain peaceful forever, Lord Duke. There will come a time when I need your help to eradicate the chaos within this Guartav territory!" Kazien answered mysteriously. "But, it is better if you learn the details after you and Hudeon meet both my parents in the Altavis territory later."
Feeling his task was complete, Kazien bowed respectfully. "I shall take my leave."
Poof!
Kazien's clone body instantly dissolved into thick black smoke and vanished without a trace, leaving a chilling silence in the family room.