The Eleventh Act: The Attribute of Mountains and the King of Silman

"So you agreed?" Brando ignored Dark Kouhua's little pout. Instead, he noticed the change in her tone. It seemed that the Heart of Calamity was an unexpected gain for her; even the frustration and anger caused by her defeat in the Dead Frost Forest had vanished from her face. Dark Kouhua hesitated for a long while before finally speaking haltingly. "I have one condition." "Go on." "You must promise to protect me during this period. If anyone tries to harm me or my sister, no matter who they are, you must do everything in your power to ensure our safety. And—and once I believe I can protect myself independently, I may choose to leave on my own. You cannot stop me. Only then can I consider reluctantly agreeing to your request." Brando looked into Dark Kouhua's blood-red eyes and replied noncommittally, "The last condition needs a slight adjustment. Once you can defeat me, you may choose to leave."

Dark Kouhua gritted her teeth as she stared at him, unable to stop herself from baring the sharp canines unique to the Twilight Wolf Tribe. Once I can defeat you, I'll tear you limb from limb, you bastard. She thought this, but still nodded and reluctantly accepted Brando's terms. In truth, the last condition had merely been her attempt to make an unreasonable demand and extort Brando while she had the chance. She had not expected him to see through it at a glance, and she was too embarrassed to keep pestering him shamelessly.

Only then did Brando push the breastplate on the desk slightly forward and ask calmly, "What is the history of this breastplate?" Dark Kouhua's demand for protection had not surprised him. He could tell that she had always felt insecure about her current situation. Although he had promised