Ascension of the Nephilim

Aron and the group continued to laugh as they went out of the temple and moved to the back of the temple. They kept on teasing Aron about his crazy antics of what kind of trouble he would give his little brother.

Kyros knew that his uncle had the nasty habit of getting into all sorts of trouble and was practically a crazy and reckless man. Kyros's foster father and Aron's younger brother, Branze Steele, was also a strong warrior like Aron.

In the past, a certain tournament was held to raise the ranks of whoever wins to Baron. Several families were vying for the land and joined the tournament. Branze was the expected winner as he managed to defeat all his peers, who were also the youngest members of other knight families. One of Branze's rivals cheated and managed to defeat Branze, winning the championship, the title, and the land.

The disheartened Branze was so full of hatred at his loss and wanted to murder the winner. Aron stepped up and joined an even bigger competition which had several Viscount families joining.

Aron was so strong that he won the tournament easily and even impressed the king. Though he was not granted the title of Viscount since he was not supposed to have joined that tournament, he was granted an audience with the king.

When it was time to meet with the king, Aron pleaded with the king about the previous tournament results. This angered the king and demanded an investigation which later proved that Branze was the winner.

But right before the king could deliver his punishment, Aron offered a possible resolution. The family that cheated did not know what their daughter did. And Aron didn't want the two knight families to have a fallout. And so, Aron offered a solution that pleased the king.

The family would retain their Baron title and the land, but their youngest daughter would have to be given as a wife of Branze.

Branze was so shocked that day that his jaw was almost touching the ground.

The woman, who later became Kyros's foster mother, was also so stunned that he recalled her telling of how she fainted and was asleep for three days at the shock. The culprit behind this forced marriage, Aron, was rather happy with himself. The murderous hate of his brother was resolved, and as a plus, his brother got one of the most attractive girls in the kingdom.

"So mom and dad just got married now, eh?" Kyros realized from the jokes that the mercenaries did.

"They must still hate each other at this point. If Fate is cursing them, then their hate must soon foster. But in my previous life, the two had already fallen helplessly in love with each other." Kyros recalled.

"Ah. This is an interesting double tsundere situation." Calaminus murmured.

"Yeah. It sounds like some cheesy anime that both shoujo and shounen fans can watch. Wait, what am I saying? That's my mom and my dad you're talking about!"

The group reached the back of the temple and was stunned at what they saw.

Ten armor displaying a dark orange armor was there.

"What is... that?!" The group was amazed.

Kyros took a look at the stats of the armor through the temple.

---

Vermillion Scale Armor

Defense: 102

Durability: 35

Minor Fire Resistance

Impact Absorption

Stab Resistance

---

Kyros couldn't help but drop his jaw.

"This..." Kyros had served as a knight and knew the quality of weapons that most mercenaries could afford. This armor was practically top tier! It would even be considered to be of great quality in the Highlands!

"What is that...?!" The mercenaries exclaimed.

"That armor! It's... strong!" Aron approached immediately and began to touch and feel it.

The rest did so as well.

"Men... This armor is even better than my current armor!" Aron finally made his assessment.

"What do we do with it?" One of the mercenaries looked at it in a daze.

...

"Why don't we... wear it?" One finally suggested.

Everyone looked at each other.

Suddenly, the mercenaries made a run for it and began to outfit themselves with the armor.

Even Aron began to do so.

Kyros shook his head and laughed as he began to put on one of the armor.

The group was amazed as they wore the armor. It was light and fitted them perfectly. The reptilian scale armor even expanded to fit themselves.

"Woah. A one size fits all armor!" Kyros was amazed.

Aron himself was so amazed that the armor was thin that he could wear his iron armor without being hindered.

"I found this armor even before I left here. But... if a lone boy were to travel with such an armor, I'd be making myself a target to robbers." Kyros laughed.

"Good call. As expected of my nephew!" Aron praised.

"Uncle... I still have a second request."

"Is it revenge?" Aron asked.

"No. I'll do that on my own. My request is this... Don't inform the kingdom of this place yet. I have seen a lot of disturbing betrayals in my own kingdom, and I fear that it will befall my new family."

"I see. Kyros, my dear nephew, you can rest assured that our kingdom is not so petty. Sure there are some power struggles, and we did get cheated several times..." Aron's expression slowly drained as if regret was painted on his face.

"But with the approaching threats of the Orcs to the southern border, we need such powerful object. Look at these mercenaries. They could only hope of reaching level twenty in this life of theirs. But with this temple, they can finally reach higher levels! Thirty! And even beyond! While we Barons and Knights could even go well beyond level thirty!" Aron explained.

"I understand, Uncle. But that's exactly my point. Such power will be abused and desired by many. We know the fees that we have to pay for leveling up, be it through Alchemy, Wizard Purging, Monster Refining, and other methods, are so astronomical that mercenaries like your companions cannot afford it. What happens if they find a place like this? Also, do you think the ability it has to bestow experience is something that will remain forever?"

Aron was stunned.

"You're right. It has a healing source and a way to bestow experience. This temple must have some remaining power source that may soon run out!" Aron exclaimed. Just as Kyros feared, Aron realized that this energy might not be forever.

"It may require the wizards, alchemist, or whatever to add power to the temple. And this means we may have to pay up for the experience." Kyros explained.

The mercenaries all had an ugly expression.

"And that is why I suggest we don't inform the kingdom yet. We hunt more lizards. With armors like these and our increase in levels, we may be able to kill that damned creature that killed my first family!" Kyros clenched the sword in his hand with great hatred.

The mercenaries all looked towards Aron.

"This... The kingdom has stronger warriors. Warriors that are much more talented than me and could benefit from this! I cannot take it." Aron rejected righteously.

The mercenaries sighed. But Aron was right. The greatest good was to give whatever remaining energy to the kingdom so as to strengthen the mighty warriors defending it. While it was a bitter pill to take, they could not help but admire Baron Aron.

"Uncle. You said that you would do whatever I request. As long as it is within your capability to help me!" Kyros reminded.

"Oh! Looky there! I forgot about that! Men! Let's go hunting! Kill all beast and level up!" Aron declared as he changed his stance regarding this moral dilemma faster than a guy heading to his girlfriend's house when she tells him her parents aren't home.

The mercenaries cheered.

"Is there a way to send all the Steele family here? It would be great if more of our clan will stay here inside."

"Right! I can destroy my life talisman so that they would think I'm in danger." Aron offered.

"Do the mercenaries have this as well?"

"Yes."

"Then have all, but one destroy those talismans. But you must leave yours intact."

"Brilliant! They would immediately send a rescue party! If I am the only one, they would definitely send help, and the hope of my survival will force them to act hastily!"

"Yes. It will seem suspicious if we leave. The best way is to have another team go here."

"My brother would probably rush here. That's a great plan!" Aron marveled.

"Erm... I'm kind of hungry..." Kyros felt his stomach growl.

"Right... We'll eat first!" Aron realized that they were quite tired from everything they have been doing.

The group decided to spend the night and continued to talk about all sorts of things.

The mercenaries were excited at the prospect of their level up and couldn't wait to go outside to fight the lizards.

Kyros and Aron, however, had an important talk regarding the state of the Steele family.

"So my father and my mother hate each other?" Kyros asked.

"Yup. Your mother was a rather spoiled woman as a knight. Even more so when she became a Baron, but her skill is the real deal. Your father is also a good fighter. He could even be stronger than me if he was as old as me. He is some sort of a battle genius. And so, these two people who loathe each other are now married. They fight almost every day. And the scary thing is that your mother is also a genius! They are now evenly matched as they try to kill each other every day!"

"And... grandfather... likes it?"

"His son has grown stronger, and his daughter-in-law is just as terrifying. Of course, he's happy. Diana may be spoiled, but she loves her family. Her stupid act that got her married to your dad is already something that she regretted as it brought shame to her family. She wouldn't do anything stupid." Aron laughed.

Kyros listened eagerly and was amazed at what he found out. It had just been two years since the Steele family had become a Baron. In the past, Kyros met them when they were already a Viscount, and it was his might that aided and made them an Earl. Kyros clearly remembered how his family talked about their grandfather, who Kyros never got to meet. But in this life, his foster grandfather is still alive.

Kyros had no idea what the past of the Steele family was. He never even got the chance to meet his grandfather. By the time he was taken into the Steele family in his past life, he had already passed away. Kyros knew that it was an assassination and listened to the details that his uncle explained.

"Uncle... If I may... You know what just happened to my family. And honestly, I don't have the time to cry. You have shown me great love by accepting me. So please, do not mind these rather critical questions. Who are the enemies of the Steele family, and what threats are there looming in around us?" Kyros asked seriously.

Aron looked for a few seconds and then finally sighed.

"Actually... The Steele family is dying out."