Divine Emperor of Death

Sophie Alstreim absolutely despised Weiss Alstreim. She knew his character from the get-go, and that's why she didn't give him any respect, even displaying a middle finger to him at the Alchemy Gathering!

Now, when she thought how she could've fallen into his hands if he was alive, she couldn't help but uncontrollably shiver.

Realizing this fact, she couldn't help but look at Davis with moist eyes, feeling thankful. She opened her mouth, wanting to thank him sincerely.

"Don't..." Davis interrupted, "You already thanked me, so sit."

Sophie Alstreim's agape lips moved, but no words came out as it closed before she inwardly thanked him and sat.

Davis had no wish to be a silent savior. That was just something pretentious pricks did, intentionally playing out that they were some high, noble fellows who selflessly helped people. He wasn't like that. Although he wouldn't go as far as to let the entire world know that he did something helpful, he would at least inform the person involved.

Besides, the victim needs to understand what kind of situation they were in! Otherwise, there would be no growth! 

Davis didn't want Sophie Alstreim to be in danger or see her die as she was closer than any acquaintance with all those interactions he had with her and the recognition he had for her. If anything, he wanted her to live happily as he felt that she is a genuine woman and a character that he liked.

"As I said before, the Amberal-Armored Armadillo Clan's Lord has changed after I killed Gaisha, so I muse this wrongdoing wouldn't continue, or if you still want to pursue them for revenge, go ahead. I won't stop you."

Davis mused that perhaps the words he said were enough to compensate for his unreasonable killing when they hadn't offended him, and whether Sophie Alstreim chose to pursue this matter was none of his concern. 

"If Alchemist Davis says so, then I will follow." Sophie Alstreim spoke as if it was a matter of fact without hesitation.

Perhaps since he was her savior in this matter, she chose to listen without being stubborn.

Davis nodded his head, not knowing if she would change her mind. After all, resentment wasn't easy to forget.

But in reality, his words caused Sophie Alstreim to not report this matter to the higher-ups in the future. 

Forget the higher-ups. If her grandfather, Grand Elder Krax Alstreim, had heard about this, he would undoubtedly be incensed enough to exterminate the entire Amberal-Armored Armadillo Clan from the face of this island!

It could be said his words saved the Amberal-Armored Armadillo Clan from facing extinction!

In any case, he was just selfish to the end, so he did it for himself, not for those magical beasts. Because justice wasn't universal and was just an abstract concept, he wanted to implement his own sense of justice! He just hoped that it wouldn't become twisted. 

"So, why did you come here alone? If it weren't for that not-to-kill list, you could've truly died." Davis reiterated his first question in a solemn tone.

"I..." Sophie Alstreim bit her lips as she looked at him. It only took a single moment of hesitation for her to make up her mind, "I wanted to collect many materials for forging and alchemy, and at the same time, become stronger without the help of anyone."

"I knew that the Alstreim Thunder Island is the safest danger zone I could traverse, so I thought of improving my battle skills here before making it to the other islands..."

Davis's eyes twitched, 'Want to head to the other islands...?'

He felt that she must be having a death wish with her meager strength. 

"You... You never traveled outside to a danger zone before, did you?" Davis narrowed his eyes as Sophie Alstreim's expression froze.

She mumbled, "I... I think..."

"I think not..." Her voice became as small as a mosquito.

"Don't tell me you never left the Grand Alstreim City?"

"Ah, no! I've visited other cities and the Kazire Empire to the east before..." Sophie Alstreim hurriedly dismissed the misunderstanding.

"If you're aware of the outside world, then you should be at least aware that Eighth Stage Beasts are present in other islands, right?" Davis exasperatedly spoke before he confusedly muttered, "Don't tell me that there's a to-not-kill list issued for the other islands...?"

Sophie Alstreim daintily nodded her head, "There is..."

Davis opened his mouth agape in utter exasperation.

"But rather than the young elites, those not-to-kill lists is only reserved for the true elites of the Alstreim Family such as me, the most talented heirs of the Grand Elders, Young Mistress and the Young Master. Of course, the prerequisite is that we don't deeply offend those Eighth Stage Beasts. Otherwise..."

Sophie Alstreim wryly giggled, her expression becoming embarrassed as seconds passed amidst Davis's unamused stare. She became fidgety, experiencing another unrelated emotion arising within her.

"You..." Davis had his eyes narrowed, "You might be useful around these areas, huh?"

'Useful...?' Sophie Alstreim blinked before she realized, "Ah, yes! I know the specific places that more resources might exist, and I know about the hazardous zones and even some mysterious zones that are not on the general map given to the young elites."

"Is that for real!?" Davis became excited and almost touched her, but he didn't, "Did your grandfather give it to you?"

"I stole it..." Sophie Alstreim also excitedly replied, but her expression fell as she realized her mistake. She extended a tongue out as she slowly looked away.

It was Davis's turn to be dumbfounded. He didn't think of her to be the naughty type. He couldn't help but chuckle as he saw her adorable expression.

He realized that the map he had might be the general one, and besides, she appeared as if she knew more about the Hundred Devil Thunder Archipelago, probably since she was part of the upper-tier geniuses among the entirety of the young elites. It was just that she had never visited this danger zone, so it should only all be unverified information.

Nevertheless, as a guide, he felt that she was...

"Perfect! I'll hire you again!" Davis gave a thumbs up, not commenting about the robbery she committed.

"..."

Sophie Alstreim's expression froze! 

Hire what?

"When are you going to guide me? I'll wait for you to recover..." Davis added with a smile.

Only then did Sophie Alstreim understand as she turned to look the other way as if thinking. However, this sense of deja vu was killing her inside as Alchemist Davis almost said the same thing to her as he hired her to upgrade his Grieving Emerald Scythe, but nonetheless... She had an imperceptible smile on her lips as she felt that she could be together with him, at least, for a while!

Returning her gaze to him as she turned her head, her lips widened as she sweetly smiled, "We'll head out half a day later! Of course! The payment would be to make me stronger and powerful as I accompany and guide you in return!"

"Easily done..." Davis smirked. 

As long as Sophie Alstreim's contributions are high, he could give her the resources that she deserved, even a large amount of nectar, like a liter, which should be more than enough to set up a foundation for this woman to become an Emperor Grade Blacksmith! 

In this place, his soul sense was literally restricted to a degree by the constant downpour of lightning bolts, so her presence was also a big help to him! Of course, he could try forcefully using his soul sense on this island as it was not much of a threat, but it couldn't be said the same in other islands where its intensity and power would obliterate almost any soul sense that even scratched past it. At that time, even with Fallen Heaven's life-like energy, he would find it difficult to heal his wounded soul, not to mention that it would just a waste of time and energy when he knew that he could avoid such a scenario.

There was also another method to counter these lightning bolts, and that was too...

'Get used to it...' Davis mused as he pursed his lips.

He had hit many people with lightning and even experienced its destructive powers with his own body on a few occasions, so if possible, he rather wanted to stay clear of these lightning bolts directly getting a route to his soul.

Lightning falling on his body, he could easily resist. However, lightning traveling through the soul sense he unleashed to his soul... without a doubt, it would be painful enough to make him faint even if it was weaker as it had obtained a direct connection to his soul via his soul sense. The attack to his soul would become almost instantaneous and undefendable with the speed of lightning, but he still had the assurance that he could resist these pipsqueak lightning bolts, but not the bigger and far powerful ones.

The only way he could resist those powerful ones is to use Fallen Heaven's prowess.

"Alchemist Davis, I'll get back to recovering my energy to full capacity... and..." Sophie Alstreim stood up and clasped her hands, "Thank you for the hospitality and kindness you have shown me."

Davis paused before he simply nodded his head. He watched her go back to her room before he descended into silence as he merely watched Nadia's sleeping form. Even though she was a piece of art reflecting in his sapphire pupils, his concentration was somewhere else.

Abruptly, his eyes narrowed as a triumphant glint emerged in his eyes. He sat back, making himself comfortable as he kept his left elbow on the corner of the sofa before he rested his left cheekbone on the back of his palm.

A smirk emerged on his lips.

"Drake, I won..."