Queen Of Adis

Erebos was forced to attend a ridiculous knighthood ceremony to indulge Alfred as the latter pleaded him to make Pier's dream of becoming a knight come true. And he was glad that he came today, or else he would have missed the bliss he was feeling at the moment.

His eyes were currently feasting at a delectable doll in front of him. Her aura and the radiance of her soul reminded him of someone he yearned for hundreds of years. He felt his throat constricted in pain from the lump that suddenly formed in his throat. He never once thought that he would get a chance to see his spring goddess once more.

But now that she was here, he felt a strong itch to snatch her and take her to hell with him. Only with her warm light, he could keep his sanity and find his salvation amidst the depressing darkness of hell. If he could have her again, he won't ask for anything anymore. He's even willing to forsake his vengeance in exchange for her soul.

His lips curved into a triumphant sneer when he remembered the information Alfred gathered for him; Pier only admired two beings in this world, the formidable King of Umbra and his future Queen, Lady Haru. He also learned that she saved Pier's life once. So compared to the other champions, Pier and Haru already had a 'history'. Obviously, she would choose someone she knew to be her personal knight rather than the Montcroix kid who has a crazy bitch of a sister that once tried to kill her and an unknown puny elf.

Ah, the scent of victory is nigh!

However, his jovial mood was slowly dwindling as he watched disdainfully when the demon king whispered something to her and kissed the back of her hand. He scoffed and rolled his eyes at the king's blatant display of dominance.

'Hmph, asshole! Rejoice and savor her while you still can as it won't be for long. Once she fell into my embrace, I will f.u.c.k her thoroughly with my massive d.i.c.k until she forgets you,' he promised to himself as he unknowingly glared at the demon king with intense jealousy.

When Adis felt an ominous presence, he searched for the owner of such attention and met Pier's undaunted glare. He scowled as the man seemed to be entirely different from when he saw him the first time. Then he suddenly remembered his other self's warning.

'How shamelessly stupid. You dare covet what is mine? Then be prepared to face the consequence.' Adis thought as he met his stare with equal passion and c.o.c.ked his head as though mocking the insignificant man to come at him if he could.

Then, sparks flew and an invisible fire blazed everywhere. But before an explosion occurred between them, they were awakened from their violent stupor by an enthralling sing-song voice.

"Before anything else, please allow me to congratulate each and every one of our chivalrous knights here." Haru started and clapped her hands to applaud the candidates, which was automatically followed by the citizens. "You are to put your lives on the line in order to protect the one you will swear your loyalty to, and for that, I respect you all. Always remember to uphold your oaths and duties as knights with the highest integrity and honor and keep the fire burning in your heart." She spoke like a true queen then went down from the podium.

She continued, "I wish that I can have all the champions for myself, but I wouldn't dare waste the nation's resources for such unreasonable whim," she quipped before finally announcing her decision. She took the ceremonial sword from the royal steward and walked towards the chosen one.

With her elegant steps, her high-heeled shoes clicked on the ground and heightened the anticipation in everyone's heart. They all gasped in surprise when she finally stopped in front of the kneeling warrior and tapped the blade of the sword on his shoulders.

"By the power vested in me by the royal court, I now dub thee the noble knight to the spring goddess of Trium Regum. Arise, Sir Azrael Montcroix."

Azrael's eyes dilated as he rigidly looked up at the venerable maiden in front.

There's no way in hell that she chose him despite what his sister did to her. That's impossible! This was just another form of bullying, right? Just like what he had to go through every single day during his training. The most important woman in the world... would be in his protection? F.u.c.k, if it was all just a dream, he wished not to be awakened for eternity.

"Sir Azrael, are you alright?" he heard the future queen inquired in worry when he did not move from his position.

"I-I..." he shut his eyes in exasperation from suddenly losing his tongue and composure. His head was in a mess from the unexpected promotion. 'Damn it! This is the part where you thank her and swear your loyalty, you moron. Talk now!' He ended up chastising himself, instead.

"Cat got your tongue, kid? It only shows that you are not ready for the post. Why not decline it and give it to someone else. Perhaps, to me?"

Azrael heard a man whispered to him from the side. He realized that Pier was seething in anger by the way his teeth were grinding every word he uttered. He understood where he was coming from, after all, he just did his best as his way to spite those who were insulting him due to his illegitimate background. But it didn't mean that he didn't want the post. If truth be told, he wanted it more than anything else in the world.

He ignored the man's proposition as nothing and no one could make him give up such once in a lifetime chance. With resolute shoulders, he stood loud and proud and finally accepted his first-ever medallion as a noble knight.

"Thank you, my lady. I, Azrael Montcroix, pledge my whole life and loyalty to you. This I swear in my honor as a knight and as a man. I am now yours, forevermore."

"I am now in your care, as you are in mine," she replied to the man and flashed him her winsome smile. "I shall expect nothing less from you, then, sir Azrael."