Affinity? An Illusion? (Part 2)

The Royal Palace Courtyard of the Kingdom of Donagunov

"Belserion, when they arrive, you must apologize sincerely, not just give a perfunctory answer!"

Looking at Irene, who was siding with outsiders, Belserion felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if it were being stabbed with needles. But the little girl from back then had grown up and reached the age of marriage. He would have to face this step sooner or later. Rather than losing her suddenly and being heartbroken later, he might as well slowly get used to this pain now.

Forcibly suppressing the tears welling up in his eyes, Belserion replied with a heavy heart, "Irene, don't worry, I will definitely apologize to that kid sincerely!"

"What do you mean 'that kid'? He has a name, it's Oddek."

"Fine! Fine! I'll apologize to Oddek, are you satisfied now?"

Seeing Belserion back down, Irene nodded smugly. Just then, a servant came to announce that Oddek was outside requesting an audience.

"Quickly, invite General Oddek in!"

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the order, the attendant immediately bowed and withdrew to summon Oddek outside the door. Soon after, General Oddek, clad in silver armor, arrived in the courtyard, led by the attendant. Upon reaching Irene, Sordil immediately knelt on one knee in greeting.

"Oddek, Guardian of the Western Territory of the Kingdom of Tsuyioru Xiu, greets Her Majesty Irene!"

"General, please rise!"

After Irene granted him permission to rise, Sordil slowly stood up. But as soon as he looked up, he saw a terrifying presence. Seeing Sordil's face tighten instantly, Irene hurriedly explained, "General Oddek, this is the guardian of my Kingdom of Donagunov, the Wise Dragon Belserion. As for yesterday's events, it was purely a misunderstanding. The Sage Dragon thought you intended to harm me, so he attacked you. I summoned you to the palace today to clear up this misunderstanding between you two."

Upon learning of Belserion's identity and the reason why Irene had summoned him, Sordil sighed with a 'relaxed' expression, "In that case, it was my fault. I apologize to Sage Dragon in advance!"

After his exclamation, Sordil bowed to Belserion in apology. Belserion, looking at the silver-haired human standing at his feet, snorted coldly and turned his head in another direction.

"Bang"

Just as the arrogant Sage Dragon turned his head in another direction, a kick came from behind him. Then, a dark background surrounded him. Feeling the resentment coming from behind, Belserion had no choice but to bow to the facts.

"This isn't entirely your fault; I also bear some responsibility!"

After reluctantly apologizing while pinching his nose, Belserion extended his right hand, indicating his desire to shake hands with Sordil and make peace, though his eyes never met Sordil's. Faced with Belserion's 'goodwill,' Sordil didn't know what to do. But when he saw Irene's encouraging gaze, Sordil, with a death wish, pressed his entire body against Belserion's right palm and then used all his strength to 'shake hands and make peace.'

Seeing that his opponent had fallen for the trap, Belserion gripped Sordil tightly in his hand and then violently shook his hand. Belserion only stopped when he felt Sodir's stomach churning violently. Irene glared at Belserion reproachfully, then hurriedly went to help Sordil up.

"General Oddek, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern Her Majesty Irene."

Seeing Sordil, who was dizzy and vomiting uncontrollably, Irene said guiltily, "My father left me when I was very young. Since then, Belserion has always taken care of and protected me, so we have a very close relationship, like father and daughter. That's why he attacked you yesterday when he saw how you treated me. Moreover, he is extremely stubborn, and once he decides someone is a bad person, it's hard for him to change his mind in a short time. So, you'll have to be more tolerant of him in the future."

"What? Meeting the parents? Miss Irene, aren't we moving a little too fast?!"

Staring at Irene's still flushed face, and recalling this strange meeting, Sordil suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu, like he was accompanying his girlfriend to meet her future father-in-law. This made Sordil both happy and somewhat at a loss (Damn it, have you forgotten that you're Irene's fiancé?).

Seeing Sordil staring at her with a silly grin, Irene hurriedly asked, "Oddek, are you alright?"

Coming to his senses, Sordil quickly wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and said, "It's alright! For you, I'll endure whatever Belserion does to me."

Hearing Sordil's words, Irene turned around shyly, then scolded, "What nonsense are you talking about? I'm ignoring you!"

After saying that, Irene ran away from Sordil and hid behind Belserion.

Polson Grand Canyon

"Sister Grandiere!"

"Sister Grandiere, wait for me!"

Sordil's shout only made things worse; after hearing it, Grandiere's flight speed increased even further.

"Time Acceleration"

Left with no other option, Sordil used Time Magic to increase his flight speed, hoping to catch up with Grandiere. Just as he used Time Acceleration, Grandiere's body was also enveloped in a green light, and their speeds once again equalized. Looking at Grandiere, so close yet so far, Sordil wanted to use Space Magic to stop him, but he worried that doing so would thoroughly enrage him. For a time, the two maintained a certain distance as they flew.

Fifteen minutes later, the two, who had toured the Polson Grand Canyon, returned to the place they had just left.

"Brother Sordil, Grandiere in a state of turmoil. You should let her have some peace and quiet!"

Just as the two were preparing for the second lap of the Polson Grand Canyon circuit, Yelibell, a bystander, suddenly spoke up. Hearing Yelibell's words, Sordil felt even more uneasy. After all, when Little Dragon Girl faced 'Dragon Knight' Zhen Zhibing, her feelings were also very complicated and chaotic.

However, thanks to Yelibell speaking up, Sordil finally came up with a way to explain to Grandiere.

"Sister Grandiere, I only wanted to complete Sister Yelibell's trial, and I did not mean to offend you."

"Sister Grandiere, please answer me, okay?"

"Sister Grandiere, I'll do anything you ask if you can forgive me."

Upon hearing Sordil's Mind Talk, Grandiere finally stopped flying. Immediately afterward, another Mind Talk entered Sordil's mind.

"What if I want you dead!"

"If Grandiere does it herself, Sordil will have no complaints."

Having received the answer she wanted, Grandiere's heart pounded, a flush rose to her cheeks, and her mind became even more turbulent. Finally, before tears could spill from her eyes, Grandiere flew away as fast as she could. Sordil was about to give chase when Yelibell stopped him.

"It's best if you don't see her until she's figured out how to deal with your relationship."

Hearing Yelibell's words, Sordil thought to himself, "Handle our relationship properly? Miss, are you sure you're not mistaken?"