Calian, hearing his mother's words, felt like he had been struck by lightning. He hadn't expected his mother's intuition and analysis to be so sharp, even knowing his reason for forming an alliance with Wolvin at the beginning of their meeting.
Likewise with Wolvin, he hadn't expected Calian's mother to guess everything correctly.
Is this purely a mother's instinct, or does my mother-in-law possess truly terrifying abilities? Just looking at her is like looking at Calian.
Elara stared into Wolvin's golden eyes, as he had remained silent and unresponsive to her words. "Tell me, what is your Blessing?"
The atmosphere grew tense. Wolvin glanced at Calian, asking for permission. Calian just smiled and nodded slowly. "Just say it, Wolvin. Mother has revealed her secret, now it's your turn."
Wolvin took a deep breath.
Suddenly, the atmosphere around Wolvin changed completely.
His previously hunched, fearful posture was now upright. His shoulders were relaxed yet alert. His innocent, watery eyes turned cold, dead, and as sharp as a dagger in the dark. His presence, which had been clearly felt, suddenly thinned out, as if he were merging with the shadows in the room.
The cute face was still the same, but the aura he radiated could make veteran soldiers tremble in fear.
"My name is Wolvin from the Night Wolf clan." he said, his voice no longer squeaking, but calm, flat, and full of confidence. "My Blessing is [True Assassin]."
Elara's eyebrows raised high, but she didn't look surprised, as if her suspicion was confirmed. "[True Assassin]?"
"Yes, Mother-in-law!" Wolvin answered. "I can erase my existence completely from physical and magical senses. I can attack an enemy's vital points with absolute certainty of death without them even realizing it. There is no target I cannot kill."
Wolvin then smiled, returning to his usual cute face, as if the murderous aura earlier was just an illusion. "But I don't like killing indiscriminately, Mother-in-law. I only use my power to protect Calian or hunt in the Larvin forest behind this pavilion."
Elara was stunned for a moment. She looked at Wolvin, then Calian, then herself.
And then, she let out a small laugh, a laugh rarely heard from the lips of the Duchess who almost never showed a smile.
"Hahaha..." Elara shook her head in disbelief. "Amazing. Truly amazing."
Wolvin never imagined that the answer that came out of Duchess Elara's mouth would be exactly the same as what Calian had said when he first learned about his Blessing.
She looked around the destroyed room, then at the faces of the two people in it. Before me right now is a monster possessing the [Time Loop] Blessing who was thrown into the West Pavilion, living with a cute beastfolk wife who is also an incredibly skilled and strong bodyguard. He possesses the [True Assassin] Blessing, a highly lethal killer who can kill without being noticed by the target.
Likewise for Calian. He had never expected that his mother, a Duke's wife who had always been considered just a beautiful ornament, was actually the owner of the [Supreme Archmage] Blessing.
"What kind of family is this?" Elara muttered with an amused smile, the fatigue on her face replaced by satisfaction. "My arrogant husband thinks he has the 'Golden Trio'. While the true power gathers in this isolation place."
Elara then stood up, straightening her dress. She walked closer to Wolvin. This time, there was no intimidation. No murderous aura. Her gaze turned warm, the look of a mother who had finally found peace.
"Your name is Wolvin, right?" Duchess Elara asked.
"Yes, Mother-in-law, my name is Wolvin!"
Elara took both of Wolvin's hands, holding them tightly.
"Wolvin..." Elara said softly.
"Yes, Mother-in-law?"
"I have seen everything. And I have heard everything." Elara said firmly. "With that [True Assassin] power of yours, I am certain there is no safer place for Calian than by your side. You are the perfect sword in the shadows to protect him."
Elara released one of Wolvin's hands, then took Calian's hand, and joined the two young men's hands in her grasp.
"Calian is my precious world, whom I failed to protect from his father's cruelty all this time." Elara whispered, her eyes glistening, holding back emotion. "Now, I entrust him to you, Young Wolf. Guard him. Protect him. And make sure he is happy."
"S-So..." Wolvin stammered, starting to feel hope for their relationship. "Am I allowed to marry Calian and wear this ring on my left ring finger?"
"Yes, of course!" Elara answered with certainty. "Even though this empire forbids it, I still give my blessing to your relationship. But, do not expose your relationship too much in public!"
Wolvin felt the warmth and sincerity from the noblewoman's hands. His heart trembled. Throughout his life as a beastfolk, he had often been looked down upon or feared. But today, the mother of the person he loved acknowledged his strength and gave him the greatest trust.
"I promise, Mother-in-law!" Wolvin answered firmly, his eyes shining with determination. "On my life, not a single scratch will touch Calian. Anyone who tries to hurt him... I will slit their throats from the shadows before they can blink. I also won't expose our relationship in public!"
Elara smiled with satisfaction. "Good. That's my son-in-law."
Wolvin grinned widely in front of Duchess Elara. That smile was one of happiness and also relief. He felt happy and relieved because right now, their relationship had been blessed.
Then, suddenly Duchess Elara patted both of their shoulders, then looked around the destroyed room.
"Well, now that the drama of revealing powers is over. But there is one important task you must do."
"What is it, Mother?" Calian asked.
"Fix this room!" Elara commanded as she walked gracefully toward the exit where the door used to be. "I do not want strange rumors spreading that World War happened in this pavilion. And after that, come downstairs."
Calian and Wolvin looked at each other, then nodded slightly.
"Yes, Mother." they answered in unison.
In the West Pavilion, the insane power possessed by the Larvin family was revealed. But Calian and Wolvin didn't care about the Blessings possessed by his father and three siblings.
What he wanted right now was just to live comfortably with Wolvin. But there was one thing weighing on his heart.
It seems, I will just ask for my mother's opinion after fixing this damaged room.